TNAG-2131-FCO40-3046-Hong-Kong-and-the-ivory-trade-1990 — Page 78

Stocks of ivory already in Hong Kong are registered, and since

12 January possession licences have been required for all commercial ivory and personal effects in excess of 5kg. Movement of ivory between dealers is recorded and their records of the stock holdings

are adjusted accordingly. No ivory can leave Hong Kong without an

export licence and non licences are issued for exports to countries

which have implemented the CITES ban.

These thorough and comprehensive measures are clear and

reassuring evidence of the Hong Kong Government's firm intention to

adhere fully to CITES.

Allowing Hong Kong to continue to trade its legally-acquired

ivory for a limited period should not create a threat to living

elephants because imports are already banned. It would make no

sense to try to import ivory illegally into Hong Kong where there is

already a large stock of legal ivory, a small domestic market, and a

number of export outlets.

While we cannot rule out the possibility that unscrupulous traders might try to move ivory illegally into or out of Hong Kong,

we are confident that the Hong Kong authorities have in place effective machinery to intercept illegal consignments of ivory. Furthermore, as Sir Geoffrey Howe made clear in the House of Commons

on 22 February, if there is any evidence of complicity by Hong Kong

traders in illegal trading in ivory, we will investigate it

thoroughly. As yet no such evidence has been produced.

Both the British Government and Hong Kong remain fully committed to the conservation of endangered species and to CITES

itself. We would not have entered the Reservation if we believed

that by doing so we were putting at risk the future of the African

elephant.