TNAG-2133-FCO40-3048-Hong-Kong-and-the-ivory-trade-1990 — Page 131

BACKGROUND NOTE

1. Following the decision of the Conference of the Parties to

CITES to transfer the African elephant to Appendix I of the Convention (thereby banning international trade in ivory), the

Government agreed to enter a temporary reservation on behalf of Hong Kong to allow it a period of six months to dispose of its stocks of legally acquired ivory. This period expired on 17 July

1990,

and the reservation has now been withdrawn.

2. The Hong Kong legislation introduced to implement the trade

ban contained a loophole which would have allowed the export of

ivory tourist souvenirs of up to 5 kg in weight. CITES does not

permit the export of tourist souvenirs of Appendix I species such

as the African elephant, and the Hong Kong legislation would thus

have been an infringement of the Convention. Accordingly, the

Hong Kong authorities have announced their intention to introduce

amending legislation to close the loophole and bring the Hong

Kong export controls fully into line with the provisions of the

Convention.

3. Hong Kong had already anticipated the ban on commercial trade

by prohibiting imports of ivory and introducing stricy controls

over existing stocks. These measures included a a system of

possession licensing, the registration of and marking of stocks,

and the setting up of a special Customs task force to combat

illegal trade in ivory.

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