Hong Kong endangered species adviser quits over illegal ivory possession, fined HK$8,000
Trader’s chopsticks made from elephant tusk were obtained after 1990 ban
An adviser for a Hong Kong government panel on endangered species has resigned after being fined HK$8,000 by a local court on Tuesday for illegal ivory possession.
William Lau Sai-yuan said he decided to step down from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s 13-member Endangered Species Advisory Committee.
“As a trader, I never intend to do anything illegal but we trust the government’s analysis,” Lau told the Post. “To avoid affecting the [department] and committee’s operations, I have decided to give up my membership.”
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Lau, who described his motivation for joining the committee in September 2016 as to “help society and serve the public”, said his resignation had been accepted.
On Tuesday, Lau pleaded guilty at Eastern Court and was fined HK$8,000 for selling a pair of chopsticks made from elephant ivory obtained after a 1990 international trade ban. Another trader Huen Kwok-leung, pleaded not guilty and will face another trial in April.
During an operation last June, AFCD officers bought two pairs of ivory chopsticks from two shops in Central, one of which was owned by Lau. Radiocarbon dating analysis revealed that four samples cut from each pair were made from ivory obtained after 1990.
Ivory that is imported legally into Hong Kong before 1990 can still be traded but is regulated by a licensing system.