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COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

The ordinance is administered by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), and enforced by both the AFCD and the Customs and Excise Department through checking at import and export control points, markets, shops and restaurants. All suspected offences are investigated and prosecutions instituted if there is evidence of a breach. The ordinance provides for penalties up to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years.

Amendments are made to the ordinance to extend controls to additional endangered animal and plant species following decisions adopted at the regular Conference of Parties to CITES. The common species newly added to the ordinance include the hwamei (or melodious laughing thrush), Asian box turtles and two plants that have medicinal uses: Asian ginseng (items originating in the Russian Federation) and the desert-living cistanche. The new controls took effect on February 18, 2002.

Home Pages

Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau

and Commerce and Industry Branch: http://www.gov.hk/citb

(links to related departments and agencies)

Consumer Council: http://www.consumer.org.hk