§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many prosecutions were initiated by the Hong Kong authorities in the first six months of 1989 arising from illegal imports, exports and possession of endangered species.
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Import (January-June 1989) Seizures: 149 Imports Quantity Exporting countries Mammal Felidae (wild cats): live/carcases/meat/skin 296 hd/pc China, United States of America, Japan, Thailand, West Germany Elephant: ivory/skin 1,107 kg China, United States of America, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, France, Switzerland Monkeys (live) 5hd China Pangolin: live/stuffed/carcase parts/meat 62.1 kg + 6 hd + 4pc China, Singapore, United States of America, Thailand Bear: skin 1 pc Canada Bird Bird of prey (owl)—live/dead/meat 30 hd+1 kg China, Thailand Parrot 71 hd China Reptile Reptiles: skins/live/stuffed/carcase 1,313 pc + 5 hd United States of America, Singapore, United Kingdom, China, Thailand, Gabon, Philippine Sea turtle: live/stuffed/shell/egg 35 hd+168pc Thailand, Singapore, India, China, Indonesia, Philippine, Vietnam, Malaysia Tortoise (live) 100 hd China, Bangladesh Amphibian Giant Salamander: live/carcase/meat 5hd China Anthozoans Corals 15 pc Indonesia, Australia, Singapore Molluscs Giant clams 16 pc China Plant American Ginseng (root) 0.42 kg United States of America
§ Mr. MaudeIn the first six months of 1989, 155 prosecutions were initiated against illegal imports, exports and possession of endangered species.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many restaurant inspections were carried out by the Hong Kong authorities in the first six months period of 1989 to ensure that no rare and endangered species of animals and plants were offered for sale as food; and if any seizures were made.
§ Mr. MaudeTo prevent rare and endangered species of animals and plants being sold and consumed in restaurants, 139 inspections were conducted during the first six months of 1989. 0.4 kg of whale meat and three giant salamanders were seized.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many seizures of illegally imported endangered species were made by the Hong Kong authorities in the first six months of 1989; how many seizures were made of similar categories intended for export; and if he will give details of all seizures made including country of origin.
§ Mr. MaudeIn the first six months of 1989, 149 seizures were made of illegally imported endangered species. Three seizures were made of similar categories intended for export. Details of all seizures are listed.
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Export (January-June 1989) Seizure: 3 Exports Quantity Musk 0.1 kg Tegue lizard skins 6,658 pc Monitor lizard skins 1,996 pc
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the sale by tender by the Hong Kong authorities of confiscated items permitted for commercial trade under CITES; what items were sold; to whom they were sold; and what amount was raised in each case.
§ Mr. MaudeThe information requested is not immediately available. A further reply will be given as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of the Hong Kong authorities on implementation of CITES resolution conference 5.11.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by the Hong Kong Government in introducing new measures designed to enforce their responsibilities under the convention on international trade in endangered species; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudeNew legislation was passed on 28 June 1989 which provides for significantly increasing maximum fines for contravention of the law on protection of endangered species; tightening up transit controls; banning the import, export and possession of medical products purporting to contain rhinoceros ingredients; penalising persons who give false information in applying for endangered species licences; facilitating identifications; extending the power of search; and empowering the Government to release or dispose of endangered species.