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LC: Opening speech by Acting SEN in motion debate on strengthening combat against crime of wildlife smuggling (English only)
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     Following is the opening speech by the Acting Secretary for the Environment, Ms Christine Loh, in a motion debate proposed by Dr the Hon Elizabeth Quat on strengthening the combat against the crime of wildlife smuggling in the Legislative Council today (December 3):

Mr President,

     I thank Dr the Honourable Elizabeth Quat for moving this important motion. Let me say at the outset that I have no substantive quarrel with the main thrust of what she said.

     Let me begin by assuring this Council of the Government's commitment to the protection of endangered species. Hong Kong has implemented the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 1976. The purpose of the CITES is to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival through over-exploitation. Currently, about 5,600 species of animals and 30,000 species of plants are protected by the CITES.

     Hong Kong gives legal effect to the CITES through the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586), which regulates the import, export, re-export and possession of endangered species. Species listed in the three appendices to the CITES are protected as scheduled species under the Ordinance. The possession control of scheduled species is a domestic measure and local law is stricter than the requirements of the CITES.

     Members are understandably concerned about the trafficking of wildlife, in particular ivory; and the control of the local trade to ensure lawful practices.  Let me provide the background on the local ivory trade to facilitate today's debate.

     A substantial amount of ivory had been imported legally into Hong Kong up until 1990, when the CITES banned the international trade of ivory. The ivory that had already been imported into Hong Kong is thus referred to as "pre-ban ivory". This pre-ban ivory has been registered with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).

     Furthermore, our law requires any person keeping ivory for commercial purposes must obtain a Licence to Possess from the AFCD. According to the AFCD's record, the amount of registered pre-ban ivory in 1990 was about 460 tonnes; and the amount kept under Licences to Possess for commercial purposes had gone down to 111 tonnes in 2014 as the Honourable Elizabeth Quat quoted.

     In view of the growing international and local concerns over ivory, and also the increased collaboration among governments to combat wildlife trafficking, including between China and the United States, we have recently reviewed the regulatory measures to combat trafficking of ivory and strengthen control of the local trade.

     To combat smuggling of ivory and other wildlife, the AFCD and the Customs and Excise Department (Customs) have been working closely together. For example, the successful interceptions of large quantities of illegal ivory in recent years were primarily based on the effective application of risk management in the targeting and profiling of cargoes and conveyances. There have also been successes to catch illegal activities at various control points.

     The AFCD and Customs also cooperate with overseas law enforcement agencies, such as Interpol and the World Customs Organization, through international joint operations and intelligence exchange to combat wildlife smuggling. In addition to routine inspection at border control points, sniffer dogs trained to detect various wildlife, including ivory, have been deployed at import control points to assist screening of passengers and parcels. Such operations have recently been extended to screen passengers departing Hong Kong to tackle possible illegal export.

     On strengthening control relating to the local ivory trade, the AFCD is conducting a comprehensive stock check of all ivory covered by Licences to Possess. Surprise inspections of both licensed ivory shops and other arts and craft shops are conducted regularly on a risk-based approach. Moreover, a new marking system with unique tamper-proof holograms and photographic records for ivory has been introduced. We are also making use of hi-tech radiocarbon dating analysis to determine the age and hence the legality of the ivory.

     In addition to ivory, the Government is also combating against the trafficking of other endangered species, such as rhino horns, totoaba and fins of scheduled shark species. I have been engaged personally in a variety of internal meetings to see how the Government can do better still. I have spoken to international enforcement agencies dealing with wildlife crimes to strengthen collaboration with them; and I met numerous experts and NGOs to discuss how the Government can collaborate with them to catch law breakers.

     I appreciate the motion moved by Dr the Honourable Elizabeth Quat. As regards the amendment moved, I can certainly understand the concern from the perspective of animal cruelty, and I am sympathetic to the cause.  However, I wonder if it is appropriate to relate it to the CITES and Cap 586. I will listen to views from Members on both the motion and the amendment and will respond later.

     Thank you, President.

Ends/Thursday, December 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:18

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