Hong Kong offers a loophole to China’s ivory ban
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China, the world’s largest importer and end user of elephant ivory tusks, is shutting a third of its ivory factories and retail stores on Friday (March 31), the first major step ahead of a formal ban on ivory sales by the end of the year.
China will shut 67 carving factories and stores with the remaining 105 outlets to be shut before the end of the year, according to documents released by China’s Forestry Administration.
The high-profile move has been hailed by activists, but they caution that Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, remains a prime obstacle in eradicating the illegal elephant poaching trade.
The former British colony, which has the largest retail market for ivory and has traded it for more than 150 years, is a prime transit and consumption hub with more than 90 per cent of consumers from mainland China.
Hong Kong set a time table for a ban on ivory trading last year with a phase-out time of five years. Lawmakers met this week to discuss the ban but have yet to decide on details and whether to shorten the phase-out process.
Rights groups say a five-year horizon is too long and the problem of laundering ivory will become far more rampant before a total ban is in place.
WildAid, a wildlife non-government organisation, estimates up to 30,000 elephants are killed illegally every year. It said markets like Hong Kong had provided “laundering mechanisms for poached ivory and perpetuated the demand”.
While the price of ivory has fallen by almost two thirds in the last three years, according to a report by Save the Elephants, the danger from poaching remains acute.
China made a big push to eradicate ivory sales and demand has fallen since early 2014 due to a crackdown on corruption and slowing economic growth. Public awareness campaigns starring Chinese celebrities have also helped to highlight the impact of poaching.
The wholesale price of raw ivory fell to US$730 (S$1,020) per kg in February from US$1,100 per kg in November 2015 and US$2,100 per kg in early 2014, according to Save the Elephants.
“Hong Kong’s commitment is in stark contrast to China who are leading the way,” Oliver Smith, chief executive of David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, said in a letter to Hong Kong lawmakers, adding that if the five-year period was unchanged, “an additional 150,000 elephants will have been killed”.
Questions & Answers
Q.What proportion of China’s ivory factories and retail stores are closing immediately?
What proportion of China’s ivory factories and retail stores are closing immediately?
China is shutting a third of its ivory factories and retail stores on Friday, March 31st. This is the first significant step before a full ban on ivory sales later this year.
Q.How long has Hong Kong been involved in the ivory trade?
How long has Hong Kong been involved in the ivory trade?
Hong Kong has been a hub for the ivory trade for over 150 years. It currently has the largest retail market for ivory, with most consumers from mainland China.
Q.Why do rights groups believe Hong Kong's five-year phase-out period for the ivory trade is too long?
Why do rights groups believe Hong Kong's five-year phase-out period for the ivory trade is too long?
Rights groups argue a five-year phase-out period is excessive, fearing it will exacerbate ivory laundering before a complete ban. They suggest that 150,000 more elephants could be killed if the period remains unchanged.
Q.What factors have contributed to the recent fall in ivory prices?
What factors have contributed to the recent fall in ivory prices?
The price of ivory has fallen significantly since early 2014, partly due to China’s crackdown on corruption and slowing economic growth. Public awareness campaigns featuring Chinese celebrities have also helped reduce demand.
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