Press Releases
AQSIQ and HWFB sign Co-operation Arrangement
The State General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (HWFB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (November 17) signed a Co-operation Arrangement, which lays the foundation for closer co-operation and communication for the protection of public health in both the Mainland and the HKSAR.
Signing the Co-operation Arrangement were the Minister of AQSIQ, Mr Li Changjiang, and the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong.
With the signing of the Co-operation Arrangement, AQSIQ and HWFB reaffirmed the previously established co-operation framework between both sides on the inspection and quarantine of food, live food animals, plants and animal products.
Building on the close partnership that the two sides attained when tackling the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak earlier this year, the Co-operation Arrangement also formalises the liaison and exchange mechanism on port health control measures.
After the signing ceremony, a joint spokesman for both sides said: "The inspection and quarantine authorities in the Mainland and the relevant departments of the HKSAR have been working closely since July this year in making preparations to enhance our capability in the control of communicable diseases, ensure food safety and protect public health.
"This would also increase our state of preparedness in our agreed framework of liaison and exchange mechanism on issues relating to public health in our joint efforts to tackle SARS if it ever returns again
"Due to the heavy cross-boundary movement of people, goods, animals, plants and foodstuffs, effective control of communicable diseases requires close collaboration on both sides. We have been maintaining close co-operation and will continue to build on our relationship in order to better protect public health on both sides," the spokesman said.
Under the Co-operation Arrangement, both sides will cooperate and conduct exchanges on major inspection and quarantine issues. ASQIQ and the HWFB will hold an annual liaison meeting of senior officials to examine major inspection and quarantine issues of the two places or any other issues of mutual interest. Individual working panels will be organised to study specialised issues relating to inspection and quarantine of animals and plants, food safety, health and quarantine measures and testing techniques.
Each side will designate two liaison officers for the overall liaison between the two sides. Officers of the Guangdong, Shenzhen and Zhuhai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureaux, the Department of Health, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will also meet regularly to discuss operational matters.
End/Monday, November 17, 2003
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