Press Releases
SFH on rodent control and food labelling
Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a media stand-up session
after attending a public function today (July 2):
Reporter: (about rodent control)
Secretary for Food and Health: The rodent problem has been well controlled
for years. But we were quite concerned about the recent incidents in which
some of the rats came out to the surface and attacked human beings, causing
alarm to the public. The most important aspect is to ensure that the people
who are in charge of those places keep the conditions hygienic to avoid
accumulation of food residues. It is also postulated that the heavy rain
that we had in recent weeks made some of the rats look for new areas of
habitat. It is important that we will look at some of the high risk areas
and strengthen some of their rodent control measures like those being taken
by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. These include to put traps
there, and also to put in place some measures that would deter them from
appearing in those areas.
Reporter: (about food labelling)
Secretary for Food and Health: The food labelling law has been discussed
thoroughly two years ago and we have given the trade two years for
preparation. Certainly, starting from July 1 this year, we need to enforce
the new law. We also realise that some of the trade, particularly some of
the ethnic shops that sell very small volume types of products might not be
able to comply fully. As usual, we will give them warning to start with and
give them three months for preparation so that they can put things right.
According to our survey and projection, most of the big supermarkets and
shops have already complied with the regulations and only the small ones and
odd ones have difficulty. Our inspectors will go around and look at them and
suggest what is the best way to solve those problems for the different shop
owners and people.
Reporter: (about rodent control)
Secretary for Food and Health: As far as what we have been doing in the
past, we have already strengthened some of the measures we have. According
to the statistics and the surveillance of rodents, there is no increasing
number over the years. But the recent incident of course is a concern. So we
want to know whether this is related to weather as I have mentioned earlier
on, or whether there are some other factors that caused the recent attacks
on human beings.
Reporter: (about columbarium)
Secretary for Food and Health: I would report to the Legislative Council as
soon as possible when we have formulated the policy. This is not the right
time to discuss it in detail yet.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Friday, July 2, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:37
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