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Hong Kong environmental issues
OpinionLetters

LettersIs Hong Kong doing enough to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade?

  • Readers discuss Hong Kong’s implementation of the proposals adopted at COP19, and the push to redevelop part of the golf course at Fanling

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Rescued radiated tortoises at Kadoorie Farm in Tai Po on June 15. Photo: Edmond So
Letters
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The 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP19) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) took place in Panama City in mid-November last year. The conference adopted 46 proposals to regulate the international trade, adding over 500 species to the list, including sharks, birds, reptiles, and more than 100 tree species. These amendments came into force this year on February 23, 90 days after the meeting ended.
Hong Kong is a signatory to CITES, and the city is a major transition hub in the illegal global wildlife trade network. However, it took the government about 16 months to embed the COP18 amendments in the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586).
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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has just said that the department will table the latest proposed amendments to the Legislative Council in the fourth quarter of this year and the effective date will be scheduled in early 2024.

Surveys have shown that literally millions of endangered live animals, and products from endangered flora and fauna, are traded either in or through Hong Kong each year. Therefore, timely adoption of these amendments will help regulate the wildlife trade and showcase Hong Kong’s commitment to the international convention.

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Additionally, Hong Kong should also designate an independent scientific authority to provide advice on the international trade of wild animals and plants and the protection of local species from wildlife trade-related issues. Each party to CITES is obligated to designate one or more scientific authorities, which are responsible for maintaining the effective implementation of the treaty.

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