Legislators passed a non-binding motion by Elizabeth Quat asking for stronger enforcement against smuggling of endangered animals yesterday, SCMP reports.
37 out of 38 lawmakers from varying political parties gave their support to the motion.
An amendment, raised by Claudia Mo, urged the government to legislate against the sale and re-export of products which were made by using inhumane methods of extraction on endangered animals, such as Chinese medicine containing bear gall bladders and bile.
Quat, who has been lobbying for an ivory ban, said that Hong Kong has become known as an international trading point for smuggling endangered species, such as ivory, rhino horns, fish maws and shark fins.
Hong Kong has been listed as one of nine regions of concern by the United Nationas Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
Lawmakers said that, by allowing licensed traders to sell ivory registered 1990, shops have since participated in “ivory laundering”, and replenished their stock with fresh ivory.
Lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki reportedly said that during an undercover investigation, an ivory trader told a wildlife organisation that they would carry illegal ivory to maintain their registered level of stock.
Christine Loh, Acting Secretary for the Environment, said that the government was open to measures proposed, including an eventual ban on the ivory trade in Hong Kong.
However, apparently, it would begin by stepping up controls before deciding whether to ban the trade completely, as there are still licensed ivory traders with existing stock.
“We […] will update our strategy and measures as and when is necessary,” she said.
Loh said current measures include stocktaking of “pre-ban” ivory, carbon dating to determine the age of tusks, and increasing control over import and re-exported ivory that can be legally traded.
Photo: Kei Tam/Coconuts Media
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