HL Deb 03 April 1990 vol 517 c1389WA
Lord Brougham and Vaux

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress Hong Kong is making in introducing legislation to implement the CITES ban on all commercial trade in ivory before the withdrawal of the six month reservation on 18th July.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

The Hong Kong Government are enacting legislation to ensure that the CITES ban on international commercial trade in ivory is in force when we withdraw our reservation on 18th July 1990. A draft enacting Bill was presented to the Executive Council on 20th March and will be introduced into the Legislative Council on 4th April, with a view to enactment in May. The legislation will come into effect when out reservation is withdrawn. In the meantime, the Hong Kong Government will continue to enforce strict licensing and monitoring arrangements to prevent any illegal trading in ivory. There has been an absolute ban on ivory imports into Hong Kong since the CITES Conference last year.