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Government will phase out local ivory trade and increase penalties on illicit trade in endangered species from May
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     A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (April 23) that the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 (Amendment Ordinance) will come into effect on May 1. The Amendment Ordinance will take forward a three-step plan to enhance regulations on import and re-export of ivory and elephant hunting trophies and to phase out the local ivory trade, and increase the maximum penalties on smuggling and illegal trade in endangered species to a $10 million fine and 10 years' imprisonment to provide stronger deterrent effects.
 
     The spokesman said, "The Government is committed to the protection of all endangered species including elephants. Species listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) are regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance in Hong Kong. As the first step of the plan, we will ban the import and re-export of all elephant hunting trophies and the remaining post-Convention ivory items from May 1, for which their import, export and re-export are currently permitted under the CITES.
 
     "For the next step, the import and re-export of pre-Convention ivory will be banned and the commercial possession of pre-Convention ivory in local markets will be subject to licensing control on August 1, and lastly, banning the commercial possession of all ivory. The whole process will be completed by December 31, 2021, and the local trade in all ivory (except antique ivory) will be completely closed down."

     Meanwhile, various departments, including the AFCD, Customs and Excise Department and Hong Kong Police Force, will continue to take vigorous enforcement action against smuggling and illegal trade in ivory.
 
     The spokesman also said that the increase in penalties will also come into effect on May 1. By that time, uniform penalties will be imposed for both commercial and non-commercial summary offences.  The Amendment Ordinance also promulgates a new set of penalties for offences convicted on indictment. The details of the amended maximum penalties are tabulated below:
 
  For summary offences For indictable offences
Appendix I species A fine of $5,000,000 and imprisonment for two years A fine of $10,000,000 and imprisonment for 10 years
Appendix II and III species A fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for one year A fine of $1,000,000 and imprisonment for seven years
 
     The maximum penalty before the amendment is a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years.

     For more details of the Amendment Ordinance and the control of endangered species, please visit www.cites.hk or call the AFCD on 1823.
 
Ends/Monday, April 23, 2018
Issued at HKT 15:05
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