Press Releases
SFH on live pig supply
Following is a transcript (English portion) of the remarks by the Secretary for
Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a stand-up media session at West Wing of
Central Government Offices today (July 20):
Reporter: (on pig supply)
Secretary for Food and Health: We have agreed with the Ministry of Commerce this
morning that we will have in principle two resolutions. One is to open the
market for importing live pigs from the Mainland. Instead of through mainly Ng
Fung Hong at the moment, we will also have another company Guangnan Hong on the
same footing, having equal status for competition. We also consider having
another company that will enable Hong Kong businessmen to invest in and compete
with the other two (agents) in future. The second resolution is to allow our pig
farmers in Hong Kong to invest in the Mainland by opening pig farms. If they
fulfill all the conditions of the Mainland authorities, they can also export
pigs to Hong Kong through one of the three agencies that mentioned earlier.
Reporter: (on the number of Hong Kong pig farms on the Mainland)
Secretary for Food and Health: As far as I know, the pig farmers have shown
interest, but they need to know the local conditions of different provinces and
cities. The Mainland would not allow small farms with a few hundred pigs. The
minimum number of pigs they need to raise is 5,000. In that case, they cannot
have small farms but need to form bigger syndicates in order to invest. I do not
know how many of them will be interested given that condition. But at least we
have now in principle support from the Ministry of Commerce that they can do
that and through the CEPA arrangement, if they want to export pigs to Hong Kong,
I think they can go through the same process as other local farmers. We will be
welcoming them if they fulfill the conditions of our Hong Kong criteria in terms
of hygienic and health conditions of pigs.
Reporter: (on protest)
Secretary for Food and Health: We have responded to the demand and also the urge
of our farmers. This is the best we can do. It is now their own decision on
whether they want to invest in the Mainland and continue farming.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Friday, July 20, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:23
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