Man convicted of selling banned ivory sits on Endangered Species Advisory Committee

Photo: Pixabay
Photo: Pixabay

UPDATED: A member of the Endangered Species Advisory Committee, convicted of possessing banned ivory, has step down from his position on the board, according to reports.

Lau Sai-yuan was convicted on Tuesday of possessing chopsticks that contained ivory obtained after the international trade ban imposed in 1990 and was fined HK$8,000, according to RTHK, which described him as a “local ivory trader.”

Following the decision, several media stories pointed out that Lau was among members of the advisory committee, which advises the director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department on the protection of endangered animals. 

The revelation prompted calls for him to be removed from the body, with Alex Hofford from WildAid Hong Kong pointing out to RTHK, that “obviously, some conflicts of interests apply here.” 

According to The Standard, Lau has since decided to step down from the body.



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