Hong Kong considers halt to ivory trade
Print Edition
HONG Kong is considering an end to the local ivory trade within the next five years.
The city allows trade in “pre-convention ivory” — products such as ivory carvings acquired before 1975 — as long as they are accompanied by certificates.
Officials yesterday discussed a plan to completely ban all forms of ivory trading by the end of 2021 after sustained campaigning from activists who argued that the legal trade masked an illegal parallel trade which encouraged the killing of elephants.
In a paper presented to the city’s legislature, the Hong Kong government said it was committed to the protection of endangered species.
Lawmaker Elizabeth Quat said: “The international community has become aware that the killing of elephants can only be stopped by putting an end to such trading.”
The WWF conservation group said in a recent report that more than 30,000 African elephants are poached for their tusks every year, and that smugglers and illegal traders remained in business.
“It is a watershed moment because the Hong Kong government has finally tabled a timeline,” said Alex Hofford, campaign manager for WildAid, an organization focused on ending the illegal trade in shark fin, ivory and rhino horn.
“We just think five years is far too long.”
He called on Hong Kong to fast-track the process.
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