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Following is a question by the Hon Choy So-yuk and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (June 23):

Question:

It has been reported that recently some mainlanders have come to Hong Kong incessantly to cut down incense trees and Buddhist pines illegally and then transported them to the Mainland for profit. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the total number of detected cases of illegal felling of trees in the past year, the species and number of trees involved and the number of such cases which took place in country parks;

(b) whether the trees felled belong to the rare species of trees in the territory; and

(c) in order to combat such crime effectively, whether the authorities will, in addition to stepping up enforcement actions, enhance the exchange of information with their Mainland counterparts in this regard; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) In 2003, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) handled a total of 79 cases of illegal felling of trees, 16 of which took place in country parks. Most cases affected one to a dozen or so trees, and only a few cases (mainly those associated with construction works outside country parks) involved more than a hundred trees. Most of the trees affected were of species commonly found in the countryside of Hong Kong, such as acacia, longan, banana, ivy tree and machilus. Buddhist pines and incense trees (which proper name is Aquilaria sinensis) were involved in 11 and 3 cases respectively.

(b) Generally speaking, the trees felled (including Buddhist pines and Aquilaria sinensis) are not rare in Hong Kong. In the Mainland, the Buddhist pine is also not a protected plant, but the Aquilaria sinensis has been designated as a Wild Plant under State Protection (Category II) and classified as "Near Threatened" in the China Plant Red Data Book. The two species are in demand in the Mainland and of some economic value.

(c) The AFCD has been working closely with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) to combat illegal tree felling activities. The HKPF attaches great importance to tackling cross-boundary crimes. In addition to stepping up patrol at the black spots, the HKPF has also applied to the court for heavier penalties to be imposed under the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance for cases involving organised illegal felling of Buddhist pines. The cases are being heard in court.

The HKPF has also enhanced the exchange of information across the boundary in order to tackle this type of illegal activities. Improvement has been noted as a result of enhanced enforcement, publicity and public education efforts by the Mainland authorities. Since mid-March this year, the Marine Police has not intercepted any person smuggling illegally felled trees.

Ends/Wednesday, June 23, 2004

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