§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by the Governor of Hong Kong to ensure that legislation prohibiting trade in rhinoceros horn is effectively enforced, and to ensure that any existing stockpiles of horn are immediately destroyed.
§ Mr. GoodladThere are no known stockpiles of rhino horn in Hong Kong.
Existing endangered species legislation in Hong Kong is as tight as it can be as regards rhino horn.
The Hong Kong Government have set up an endangered species liaison group to co-ordinate local enforcement operations and to liaise with international agencies concerned with environmental issues, including nongovernmental organisations.
At the end of 1993, in response to a report by the Environmental Investigation Agency—EIA—the Agriculture and Fisheries Department of the Hong Kong Government carried out a series of searches of 58 shops. Suspected rhino hide was seized from two shops, together with a number of packets of medicine claiming to contain rhino ingredients. This enforcement activity will continue.