Press Releases

Discussion with Mainland authorities on importation of food and potted plants

        The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau and relevant departments today (January 24) met with the Guangdong Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (CIQ) to understand the supply of foodstuff to Hong Kong including pigs, chickens, ducks and geese, as well as the supply of potted plants and nursery stock for the Lunar New Year.

 

        It was understood that Wuchuan of Zhanjiang in Guangdong Province had confirmed the discovery of a novel imported insect "red fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren)". Red fire ants are regarded as imported harmful creatures under the Chinese law and therefore strict control measures have to be put in place.

 

        The CIQ said no red fire ants had been found in major areas of potted plants and nursery stock for supply to Hong Kong such as Shunde, Punyu, Nanhai, etc. Having regard to protecting the environmental safety of Hong Kong and the health of Hong Kong people, the relevant Mainland inspection and quarantine authorities have increased their manpower to handle the issues to ensure potted plants could reach Hong Kong markets as soon as possible.

 

        Meanwhile, the authorities concerned would speed up the clearance procedures and adopt measures to facilitate the clearance of potted plants for supply to Hong Kong without compromising safety and quality control. Concrete measures are as follows:

 

1. The CIQ will send dedicated staff to inspect the potted plants at the place of production;

2. Potted plants and nursery stock for supply to Hong Kong have to be disinfected at the place of production to ensure quality; and

3. Enhance communication with the exit control point (Man Kam To) to maintain close coordination and simple procedures to speed up customs clearance so that festive potted plants, nursery stock and potted tangerines could supply to Hong Kong as soon as possible.

 

        Regarding recent reports on the insufficient supply of chilled ducks and geese to Hong Kong, the Guangdong authorities pointed out there had been a surge in demand for food animals such as pigs, chickens, ducks and geese both in the Mainland and Hong Kong markets.

 

        In view of the fact that winter months are the high season for outbreak of infectious diseases, the Mainland authorities have stepped up inspection of the farms supplying live poultry and poultry meat to Hong Kong. Laboratory testing has also been enhanced with more samples taken for testing. Currently, there is little variation in the total supply of chilled waterfowls to Hong Kong.

 

        The CIQ said it would deploy more staff to ensure the food for supply to Hong Kong was safe and would try its best to meet the demand of the Hong Kong markets.

 

Ends/Monday, January 24, 2005

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