Press Releases
Consensus reached to enhance safety of Mainland food for supply to Hong Kong
Consensus was reached at a meeting today (august 23) between the Secretary for
Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, and the Minister of the State General
Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), Mr Li
Changjiang, in Beijing, on supply of Mainland pork, the notification mechanism
in respect of food incident and arrangements for the import and export of
aquatic products to Hong Kong.
Representatives of the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (HWFB) and the Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had held initial discussions and
exchanged views yesterday with AQSIQ representatives.
At today's meeting, Dr Chow and Mr Li reaffirmed the results of the discussions
between the two sides, which would further safeguard the safety of food for
supply to Hong Kong and enhance the communication between Mainland and Hong
Kong.
On supply of Mainland pork to Hong Kong, AQSIQ confirmed at today's meeting that
the Streptococcus suis outbreak in Sichuan Province had been under control. The
Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) also confirmed that there was no outbreak of
Streptococcus suis infection in Henan Province.
HWFB today received reports from veterinary officers sent by the Government to
Sichuan confirming that the pig farms supplying pork to Hong Kong was operating
normally, the conditions there were satisfactory and the methods of feeding also
met the requirements for export to Hong Kong.
The two sides agreed to process the applications of pork import from Sichuan
Province, Henan Province and Shenzhen starting tomorrow (August 24) so that pork
supply in Hong Kong would resume normal.
Dr Chow pointed out that Sichuan Province and Henan Province were Hong Kong��s
main sources of pork supply, accounting for 40 per cent and 20 per cent of the
local market respectively. It was anticipated that the decision could satisfy
market demand.
On food safety notification system, the two sides held constructive discussion
and unanimously agreed to strengthen the mutual ties.
Dr Chow said experiences showed that the communication and notification system
between Hong Kong and AQSIQ have been good and effective, which facilitated
information exchange and co-operation in regard to inspection and quarantine
measures between the two places. Having regard to the recent malachite green
incident, both sides agreed to further enhance the notification in respect of
major incidents in relation to export of food.
He said MOA as well as Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council
have pledged their support for the establishment of communication channels and
have direct contact with agricultural authorities in Guangdong Province and
Shenzhen on issues of food safety that might affect Hong Kong.
"We will arrange special meetings with Guangdong, Shenzhen and Zhuhai Entry-Exit
Inspection and Quarantine Bureau as soon as possible to discuss food safety
issues of mutual concern. This is in line with the cooperation arrangements laid
down by AQSIQ. According to the current arrangements, the Government of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region will meet with the relevant Mainland
inspection and quarantine authorities at least once a year.
"Both sides also discussed the recent malachite green incident in detail at
today's meeting. AQSIQ reassured us that malachite green has been prohibited for
use in all registered fish farms for supply to Hong Kong. . They will strengthen
the monitoring and inspection to ensure freshwater fish and aquatic products for
supply to Hong Kong are free from malachite green," he said.
Dr Chow noted there have been difficulties in carrying out live fish inspection
as the goods have to be delivered from the source (fish farms) to retail outlets
(markets) in the shortest period of time. The inspection at boundary checkpoints
or wholesale markets could only be carried out in limited manner. To satisfy
public demand, daily supplies of live fish amounted to dozens of tonnes.
Therefore, the most effective way was to control at sources.
To further strengthen the safety of freshwater fish supply to Hong Kong, the two
sides agreed that the most effective measure was to control at sources. The
following actions would be taken:
* Freshwater fish supply to Hong Kong can only be provided by fish farms which
are registered in the Mainland and approved by FEHD;
* All freshwater fish supplied by registered and approved farms should be
accompanied with certificates when entering Hong Kong to prove that they are
free from malachite green or any other harmful pesticide and chemical
substances;
* FEHD can send staff to registered and approved freshwater fish and aquaculture
farms in the Mainland for inspection;
* Exchange on freshwater fish farming and aquaculture technique will be
strengthened between Hong Kong and the Mainland; arrangements will be made for
technical staff to visit each other and exchange experiences; and
* Hong Kong will study legislative amendments to require imported aquatic
products to seek prior approval.
Dr Chow said: "The new arrangements on inspection and quarantine will further
ensure the safety of freshwater fish supply to Hong Kong, thereby enhancing
public confidence in consuming these products."
He said the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations in the Public Health and
Municipal Services Ordinance would be amended to prohibit the use of malachite
green in food to further enhance the safety of freshwater fish supply for public
consumption.
"We will continue to monitor the latest situation on the regulation on the use
of chemical substances in agricultural and fisheries products in other
countries. We will regularly update the First Schedule of the Harmful Substances
in Food Regulations," Dr Chow said.
Ends/Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:36
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