Hong Kong Customs Seizes 36 Tortoises, 8 Lizards Worth About $550,000 at Airport from Korean Passengers

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected scheduled endangered live tortoises and lizards

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 16) seized 36 live tortoises and eight live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species at Hong Kong International Airport, with an estimated market value of about $550,000.

Two Korean male passengers, aged 24 and 30, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. They were intercepted for customs clearance at the arrivals hall of the airport. Customs officers found the batch of tortoises and lizards contained in plastic boxes inside their carry-on baggage. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the batch of tortoises and lizards was suspected to be of endangered species listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong.

The case has been handed over to the AFCD for follow-up action. Hong Kong Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline182 8080or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 16) seized 36 live tortoises and eight live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows some of the suspected scheduled endangered live tortoises seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 16) seized 36 live tortoises and eight live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows one of the suspected scheduled endangered live lizards seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 16) seized 36 live tortoises and eight live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows some of the suspected scheduled endangered live tortoises seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 16) seized 36 live tortoises and eight live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows the suspected scheduled endangered live tortoises and lizards seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SEE at APEC FSMM discussion session on Food Security Empowered by Technological Innovation and Digital Agriculture in Hangzhou

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, at the discussion session entitled Food Security Empowered by Technological Innovation and Digital Agriculture at the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Hangzhou today (August 25):

Thank you Chair.

Hong Kong, China, has been actively promoting the modernisation and sustainable development of local agriculture. Our efforts focus on enhancing productivity, strengthening climate resilience, and reducing reliance on labour through technology and innovation.

To make the best use of our limited land resources, we are actively promoting the development of urban farming.

Urban farms adopt advanced facilities such as smart greenhouses or indoor cultivation systems to carry out "multi-layer farming" for year-round production, as well as high quality and fresh agricultural produce with reduced carbon footprints.

Through educational activities conducted at urban farms, the public are also provided with farming experience, thereby enhancing the quality and livability of urban life and enabling the co-development of agriculture and urbanisation.

We actively facilitate the trade to develop urban farming in a multipronged manner, with a view to driving the overall sustainable development and industrial diversification of the local agricultural sector.

Fellow APEC economies and friends, Hong Kong, China, is ready to share experiences, and collaborate with each other to advance agricultural innovation, strengthen food security, and promote shared prosperity across the region. Thank you.

Speech by SEE at APEC FSMM discussion session on Food Security Empowered by Technological Innovation and Digital Agriculture in Hangzhou Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases