ENG-1986 — Page 106

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

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consumer message reached a wide audience, the council liaised with the mass media and other interested bodies, notably schools, in extra-curricular activities such as competitions and a scheme for 'Young Consumer Education Ambassadors'.

The Consumer Council is a Council Member of the International Organisation of Consumers Union (IOCU), and maintains strong ties with its counterparts abroad, including those in China.

Trade in Endangered Species

The possession, importation and exportation of endangered species of animals and plants including parts and derivatives, into and out of Hong Kong is strictly regulated by the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance which gives effect to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). While the licensing policy allows legitimate trade in scheduled specimens, import licences may not be granted in certain cases, to help the survival of a species. For example, there has been a total ban on the import into Hong Kong of rhino products of all species of Rhinocerotidae since 1979. Hong Kong maintains its place as an important centre for legitimate trade in African ivory.

The ordinance is administered by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and is enforced by officers of the department and the Customs and Excise Department. The Trade Department is authorised to issue certificates for ivoryware carved in Hong Kong. Illegal trade is investigated and prosecutions follow if there is evidence of a breach of the ordinance. During 1986, there were 420 seizures and 200 prosecutions under the ordinance.

Metrication

In the field of metrication, the government's objective is to facilitate progressive adoption of the International System of Units (SI) in those areas for which it is responsible, and the positive encouragement of the use of metric (SI) units by the private sector. The Metrication Ordinance, enacted in 1976, provides for the eventual replacement of non- metric units by SI units in all legislation in Hong Kong. Most government departments are now using metric units exclusively.

A Metrication Committee, consisting of representatives of industry, commerce, manage- ment and consumer affairs, and government officials appointed by the Governor, is the focal point of liaison on all matters concerning metrication. It advises and encourages the commercial and industrial sectors in the framing of their metrication programmes. Partly through the efforts of the committee, public awareness of metrication has increased and considerable progress has been made in the adoption of metric units in the private sector.

With effect from January 1, 1986, public weather services went fully metric and the new units used were kilometres for horizontal distance, kilometres per hour for wind speed and hectopascals for atmospheric pressure. Other significant developments during the year included the production of posters and conversion cards to promote metrication in the fashion trade and the printing industry respectively.

Trade Marks and Patents

The Trade Marks Registry, which is a sub-division of the Commercial Division of the Registrar General's Department, is a registry of original registration. Trade marks are registered under the Trade Marks Ordinance, the provisions of which are similar to trade marks legislation in the United Kingdom. The procedure in applying for registration is laid down in the Trade Marks Rules, and the prescribed forms may be obtained free from the