Press Releases
FHB and AQSIQ sign Supplementary Co-operation Arrangement (with photos)
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (March 26) signed a
Supplementary Co-operation Arrangement with the Minister of the State
General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ),
Mr Wang Yong, in Beijing to further strengthen co-operation and exchanges
between the Mainland and Hong Kong on the safety of mainland food and
agricultural products for supply to Hong Kong.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Dr Chow said, "In October 2005, the
bureau signed a Co-operation Arrangement with AQSIQ to safeguard food
safety. The signing of the Supplementary Co-operation Arrangement signifies
further enhancement in communication and co-ordination between the two sides
in strengthening our work to protect food safety and combating illegal
import of food and agricultural products."
Under the Supplementary Co-operation Arrangement, the two sides agree to
exchange information regarding epidemics and food safety incidents promptly
and to establish a communication system for major festivals, such as the New
Year's Day, Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival, to enhance information
flow.
Both sides agree to further explore the methods of inspection and quarantine
for food and agricultural products. Food sampling and surveillance will be
based on the principle of risk assessment to ensure the safety of food
products supplied to Hong Kong.
Dr Chow said that given the importance of strengthening control at source
for ensuring the safety of food supplied to Hong Kong, both sides agreed to
enhance the inspection, quarantine and supervision work at source in respect
of mainland farms which supply poultry and related products, aquatic
products and vegetables, to Hong Kong.
To protect food safety and public health, both sides agreed to further
combat illegal import and export of food and agricultural products by
strengthening information and intelligence exchanges.
The two sides agree to maintain the liaison officer system between the Food
and Health Bureau and AQSIQ. Building on the existing system, the Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department would establish a liaison officer system
with the Guangdong, Shenzhen and Zhuhai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine
Bureau respectively to enhance communication and co-ordination within the
region.
Ends/Thursday, March 26, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:32
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