TNAG-2132-FCO40-3047-Hong-Kong-and-the-ivory-trade-1990 — Page 73

IVORY TRADE INFORMATION PROJECT

22 June 1990

You have been in touch with my officials about your

proposals for an Ivory Trade Information Project, the

purpose of which will be to coordinate information to facilitate prosecution of those trading in illegal ivory and also to educate the public on the ivory trade and the

African elephant.

Clearly it is crucial to the future of the African

elephant that we all play a part both in assisting African countries to combat poaching and in the fight against illegal trading in ivory. You will know that through the Overseas Development Administration we are providing assistance to African countries for the conservation of

wildlife, including the elephant, and this is particularly so in East Africa. And Her Majesty's Customs and Excise

have been very active in tackling illegal trade in ivory

through the United Kingdom. You may have read about seizures of illegal ivory at London Heathrow and Gatwick

airports. In Hong Kong the authorities have set up a Customs task force to combat any illegal trade and have taken a number of other measures such as the increasing by five-fold of fines for illegal trading.