Press Releases

Administration's response to views on the establishment of an independent statutory body to oversee food safety matters

In response to press enquiries on the establishment of an independent statutory body comprising of experts, academics and members of the general public to oversee food safety matters, a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said today (September 22) that having regard to the need for carrying out statutory duties, it would appear more appropriate that food safety regulatory functions be performed by a government department.

These include duties such as taking enforcement actions involving prosecutions, conducting government-to-government negotiations arising from the need to implement temporary suspension of food imports in response food safety incidents (e.g. avian influenza and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy outbreaks in other countries), and Hong Kong's participation in international organisations requiring Government representation such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

"In overseas countries like the United States and Singapore, food safety functions are performed by government agencies. For instance, in the United States, the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is a government agency under the US Department of Health and Human Services; in Singapore, the Agri-food & Veterinary Authority is a government agency under the Ministry of National Development," the spokesman said.

"We are currently studying the various models in other countries to see which model is most suitable for Hong Kong's situation. We will also consider the establishment of an advisory committee consisting of experts from various fields such as the medical and veterinary professions, food scientists, nutritionists, academics from Universities, etc, to advise the Government on the setting up of local food standards and to conduct researches on food risks to complement the work of the new centre for food safety. As and when the details have been formulated, we will consult the Legislative Council panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene before implementation," the spokesman added.


Ends/Thursday, September 22, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:17

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