Press Releases
HK and the Netherlands sign import and export protocol for 2008 equestrian event horses (with photo)
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Netherlands today (December
13) signed an operational arrangement on the protocol for the import and export
of Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Event horses between the two places.
The protocol was signed by the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation, Mrs Stella Hung, and the Director-General, Ministry of
Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands, Mrs Renee Bergkamp.
In his welcoming speech, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York
Chow, said the ceremony was a milestone event in Hong Kong's preparation for the
quarantine arrangements for the importation of horses competing in the 2008
Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events to be held here, as there would be
competing horses being imported from the Netherlands.
"The execution of the operational arrangement will also set the stage for
stronger links between Hong Kong and the Netherlands in the import and export of
horses," he said.
Since the announcement on staging the events in Hong Kong was made in July 2005,
the Government has been working very closely with the relevant organisations and
authorities such as the World Organisation for Animal Health, the International
Federation for Equestrian Sports, the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games
of the XXIX Olympiad, the State General Administration of Quality Supervision,
Inspection and Quarantine, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Hong Kong Jockey
Club, to work out the import arrangements for horses participating in the 2008
Equestrian Events.
The main purpose of putting in place the operational arrangement is to ensure
that imported horses are free from diseases of concern to Hong Kong's equine
population, to prevent the spread of diseases between horses competing in the
events and the smooth re-export of horses to their original exporting countries
after the events.
Ends/Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:09
NNNN
�@
(Photo)
WEBCAST: