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CITES commends HK on protection of endangered species (with photo)
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     The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) have been commended by an international authority for their exemplary efforts to detect a smuggling case of rhino horns and ivory products last November.

     The Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has awarded a certificate of commendation to Hong Kong. The certificate was introduced in 2002 to recognise exemplary enforcement actions by CITES members. This is the second time Hong Kong has been awarded since 2003.

     At a presentation ceremony today (February 22), the CITES Chief of Enforcement Support, Mr Ben Janse van Rensburg, on behalf of the CITES Secretary-General, presented the certificate to C&ED and AFCD representatives.

     "It is our honour to receive the recognition. Hong Kong has been commended for the enforcement action which resulted in the seizure of 33 rhino horns, 758 ivory chopsticks and 127 ivory bracelets with a total value of about $17.4 million," a government spokesman said.

     Addressing the ceremony, Mr van Rensburg said, "The collaborative investigative approach followed by the C&ED and the AFCD in response to the seizure is exactly the kind of co-operation needed to successfully investigate this type of crime. This seizure demonstrates the importance of co-ordinated actions in combating wildlife crime amongst enforcement authorities on national and international levels. It further serves as an example of how all resources nationally and internationally can and must be used."
 
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to the protection of endangered species and implementation of CITES. Through the enforcement of the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586), the trade in endangered species listed in the CITES Appendices is strictly controlled. Any person found guilty of importing endangered species for commercial purposes is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years.

     "Hong Kong will continue its efforts to combat illegal trade in endangered species to ensure the sustainable use of wildlife resources," the spokesman added.

     For information about endangered species, please visit the website at www.cites.org.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:10

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