Hong Kong to phase out ivory trade
"History has shown that legal ivory sales only serve to provide a cover for illegal trade, which fuels the rampant poaching we see across Africa."
The Hong Kong government is set to legislate a ban on local sales of elephant ivory, joining mainland China and the US in a bid to end Africa's poaching crisis.
The city's chief executive, Leung Chun-ying announced the move during his annual policy address. He also said maximum penalties for trafficking endangered species would be increased to seven years in prison - a sharp upturn compared to the current two years.
Conservation group WildAid said several hidden camera investigations into Hong Kong's ivory trade may have put pressure on the government. The city's environment officials had previously said they are "open minded" about ending legal ivory sales. This was a reversal of their previous position that the trade was "strictly regulated".
The group's CEO, Peter Knights, called the move a "historic step", offering hope for an end to the poaching crisis, which has claimed the lives of as many as 33,000 elephants a year.
"History has shown that legal ivory sales only serve to provide a cover for illegal trade, which fuels the rampant poaching we see across Africa," he explained.
"Hong Kong has always been the epicentre of that trade, so we congratulate CT Leung and the government for this historic step. Coupled with a 50 per cent drop in ivory prices in China over the last 18 months, the end of the crisis may be in sight."
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