Position Paper on the Live Exotic Animal Pet Trade

This following position paper has been prepared by members of the Hong Kong Wildlife Trade Working Group (HKWTWG), an informal alliance of stakeholders with interests in the legal and illegal animal trade. It has been compiled in response to: i) the increasing trade in live exotic animals in the Territory, many of which are threatened with extinction; and ii) the need for regulatory enhancements to better manage environmental, animal/public health and animal welfare concerns. The paper outlines Hong Kong’s position as a major importer of exotic animals, the causes for concern and potential means of addressing these.