HK unveils three-step strategy to ban all ivory trade by end-2021
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HONG Kong yesterday announced a proposed three-step plan for a total ban on the local ivory trade by the end of 2021.
“Hong Kong is determined to stem the illegal ivory trade,” Environment Secretary Wong Kam-sing said. “Our goal is to completely eliminate the local ivory trade by the end of 2021.
“The measures will send a very strong signal to the international community on Hong Kong’s determination.
“Certainly there are constraints … (but) the current proposal is actually the best way to address the said issue.”
He said the Hong Kong government, in step with global calls to shut down the ivory trade, would draft amendments to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance to be presented to the Legislative Council in the first half of next year.
The first step would be to immediately ban the import and re-export of all elephant hunting trophies and ivory items acquired after the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species provisions started to apply to elephants in 1970s. CITES currently allows the import, export and re-export of pre-Convention ivory.
The second step would extend the ban to the import and export of pre-Convention ivory and apply licensing controls to pre-Convention ivory already in the local market.
This would take effect within three months of the first measure.
The final phase would be to ban the commercial possession of all ivory from December 31, 2021, with a grace period of about five years.
The first two steps would not apply to antique ivory.
Under the plan to move to a total ban by the end of 2021, all licenses to possess ivory issued, extended, varied or renewed after the end of this month would expire by December 30, 2021.
The government will also increase penalties, including imposing uniform maximum penalties for both commercial and non-commercial summary offenses.
Except under certain circumstances, such as scientific studies, education or law enforcement and training, international trade in ivory has been virtually banned since 1990.
“Hong Kong has a duty to be part of international efforts and practices in enhancing protection for elephants,” Wong said.
Michael Lau, director of wetlands conservation at the World Wide Fund Hong Kong told journalists the group welcomed the government’s plans to move to a blanket ban. Stepping up enforcement and banning sales would reduce demand and shrink the market, he said.
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