Press Releases
HWFB concerned about injury of FEHD staff while on duty
A spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau expressed concern over the
injury of the Food and Environmental Hygiene (FEHD) staff by knife whilst
carrying out anti-hawking operation in Aberdeen yesterday.
The spokesman reiterated that it was the duty of FEHD staff to handle illegal
hawking and follow up related public complaints. The legality and legitimacy of
their enforcement actions should not be questioned.
"We notice some media reports about FEHD hawker control team staff enforcing the
law in a cold-blooded, heartless manner and seeking to drive illegal hawkers
completely out of business. These allegations do not accord with the truth. We
are concerned that they may give people the wrong impression that the incident
was triggered by FEHD staff.
"In fact, the FEHD has been very cautious and pragmatic in carrying out hawker
control. If major thoroughfares are not obstructed, illegal hawking is not found
near markets and food and environmental hygiene conditions are not affected, the
department generally adopts a more lenient approach in law enforcement by
warning or dispersing illegal hawkers. In performing their duties, the officers
are required to exercise restraint and strictly abide by the law.
In addition, some criticisms attributed the incident to the fact that the
Government had not set aside a designated area for traders to sell fish. In this
regard, the spokesman stressed that the Government had all along been open to
any concrete proposals on new hawking places made by district councils and the
public.
"In the case of the Aberdeen Promenade, the Government has received many
complaints from residents against the illegal hawking activities which caused
obstruction to access and environment nuisances," he added.
On the question that the fishermen needed the site in question to sell fish to
maintain their livelihood, the spokesman considered that they could rent the
stalls in FEHD's markets to continue their operations.
He said: "Currently, there are 166 vacant fish stalls managed by the FEHD that
can be available to traders for renting. Among these, 44 are available on Hong
Kong Island. The traders are welcomed to rent them and we are happy to offer the
appropriate assistance.
"If fishes caught by the fishermen are sold in regulated markets, the safety of
fresh fish consumed by the public can be better safeguarded."
The spokesman said the Government would be pleased to consider any views on
hawker policy or the yardstick for law enforcement against illegal hawking
activities. However, theses issues should not dilute the seriousness of the
offence for assaulting public officers and relevant criminal liabilities.
Ends/Monday, May 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 21:30
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