§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been received alleging the failure of the Hong Kong administration effectively to enforce national wildlife laws and implement the convention on international trade in endangered species, and what has been the response.
§ Mr. GoodladIn the past year we have received representations from members of the public responding to non-governmental organisations letter campaigns, and representations from the following NGOs:
- Naturewatch—Rhino horn and ivory sales
- World Wide Fund for Nature—Sale of rhino, tiger and bear parts
- Traffic international—Sale of rhino and tiger products
- Environmental Investigation Agency—Sale of bear products and rhino horn.
The EIA met with the Governor of Hong Kong in London to ask for a dedicated wildlife enforcement unit to be created. It wrote to the Governor in October, again requesting the setting up of a specialised unit. We received a similar request in two early-day motions, 22 and 59.
Hong Kong set up an endangered species protection liaison group in November 1993 to co-ordinate and implement actions in enforcing national wildlife laws and implementing CITES. The group has access to the resources and expertise of all enforcement and policy agencies, including under cover capability. Should circumstances change, or if any evidence of wholesale trafficking should come to light, Hong Kong will look again at the idea of whether a specialised unit should be set up, and whether it would do the job better.
The Hong Kong Government are keen to work with NGOs, and is currently liaising with Traffic on a study into Hong Kong's position in the Asian medicine trade. The Hong Kong Government take seriously representations alleging CITES abuses, and follow up evidence that is supplied.