Hong Kong plan to ban ivory trade by 2021 receives Executive Council go-ahead
Three-step plan will involve initial ban on trade in elephant hunting trophies and ivory carvings and culminate in total ban on all sales of ivory obtained before 1990, when an international ban was enacted
Legislative amendments will involve banning the trade in elephant hunting trophies and ivory carvings, followed by a ban on ivory acquired before a 1975 convention regulating the trade in endangered species, and finally, a total ban on all sales of ivory obtained before 1990, when an international ban was enacted.
The proposals were drawn up in June following a surprise announcement by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying in his policy address to explore enacting laws to ban the local ivory trade.
“The measures will send a very strong signal to the international community on Hong Kong’s determination to curb illicit trade in ivory,” environment minister Wong Kam-sing said on Thursday.
All possession licences to trade legal ivory stocks issued, extended, renewed or varied before the end of this year will expire by default by December 30, 2021.
Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Dr Leung Siu-fai, said maximum penalties and imprisonment terms would also be increased to set a stronger deterrent against wildlife crimes.