Press Releases
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Regional CITES legislation workshop held in Hong Kong Without the benefit of effective and enforceable legislation, governmental agencies all over the world would have found it extremely difficult to discharge the responsibility of combating illegal trading of endangered species. This was stated by Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Mr Thomas Chan at the opening ceremony of the regional legislation workshop in connection with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) held in Hong Kong today (April 22). "Concerted and dedicated effort by all its member parties is the principal assurance of the future of the many beautiful and magnificent species that we have with us today. "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is fully committed to its obligations under CITES. We are a free trading port but we allow absolutely no room for illegal trading activities. We have comprehensive and strict legislation giving full effect to CITES and these are effectively enforced. "Apart from control of import and export as required by CITES, strict domestic legislative requirements are also adopted for better implementation of the Convention. These include the control on possession and on specimens in transit," he said. Penalties for contravention are heavy, carrying a maximum fine of five million Hong Kong dollars and imprisonment for two years. "I am pleased to see that Hong Kong's legislation in this regard has been rated at Category I by the Convention," Mr Chan said. "We are continuously updating it to meet the requirements of CITES. He said Hong Kong had a dedicated team of enforcement officers who were supported by an Endangered Species Protection Liaison Group led by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) as Hong Kong's CITES Management Authority. AFCD administers the import and export licensing system for legal trade in endangered species. Enforcement officers inspect wholesale and retail outlets for any contraventions. Meanwhile, Mr Chan said there was also the need for public education as enhancing awareness in the community would bring long-term benefits. Last year, AFCD set up a resource centre where more than 500 items of endangered species specimens were on display. "Our comprehensive programme in public education aims to change public attitudes towards consumption of endangered species and increase awareness of the relevant legislation. "The resource centre provides a useful venue for enforcement officers as well as traders and members of the public to acquaint themselves with the many types of endangered species. We hope to promote this centre more vigorously amongst our population here in the near future," Mr Chan added. CITES is now 27 years old with 158 member parties. It is the foundation for international co-operation to protect species of animals and plants threatened by over-exploitation through international trade. The five-day Regional CITES Legislation Workshop is jointly organised by AFCD and the CITES Secretariat. The workshop, which has attracted participants from 17 Asian countries and places, will address the key requirements of CITES legislation. |
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