TNAG-2133-FCO40-3048-Hong-Kong-and-the-ivory-trade-1990 — Page 45

CODE 18-77

Mr Stone, HKD

Reference

His Iss

JE6ABE

320

RY

30

HONG KONG IVORY

1. Please refer to your minute of 23 October. I have sought the views of DRA in Bristol and these are attated.

2.

With reference to para 2 of your minute I think Hong Kong is clutching at straws. You will note from the attachments to Miss Withey's minute to me that the Community countries operate relatively strict import and export controls on ivory, irrespective of whether it comes from within or without the EC. And so they should; they are, after all, Parties to CITES. Hong Kong cannot export any commercial ivory, be it within Asia or not. It too is a Party to CITES and must abide by the controls placed upon it, as must the UK. The reopening of Hong Kong's trade with China, Korea, and other customers in the region would ensure that the full wrath of the conservation and scientific lobby would descend on us once again.

J

مه

31 October 1990

Julian Evans

Environment, Science and Energy Department E011

071 270 2627

A Fuggiess

1) Me. Lega

I aque

Pa

HK's position

still seams stranger other comtries on

this point

than

2/11

2) Rpa. Mkwen

of Ms Withey's

May ready st

monicato is that any amount of resoral ivery may be exported from the US So

itic's controls

we may this co!?

are far more severe.

be able to malae use of

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