Press Releases
Mainland and HK authorities agree to strengthen cooperation on food safety
Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) today (December 9) agreed to maintain close liaison and cooperation on matters relating to port health, quarantine and inspection for live food animals and ensuring food safety and public health.
In a meeting this afternoon between a HKSARG delegation led by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, and the Minister of the State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), Mr Li Changjiang, both sides reviewed the progress of work achieved during the past year, following the signing of the Cooperation Arrangement between the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (HWFB) and AQSIQ in November 2003.
The Cooperation Arrangement provides for a framework of cooperation and exchange on matters of mutual concern on port health, inspection and quarantine of live animals and plants, as well as food safety.
The meeting noted that significant progress had been made in the following areas:
* inspection and quarantine procedures for the import of live poultry into Hong Kong;
* chemical residues in food animal products;
* the speedy exchange of information on food safety matters that has enabled rapid response actions to be taken; and
* the exchange of information concerning infectious diseases and vector surveillance in port.
Noting the collaboration in border health measures has been effective, both sides could make use of the existing port control measures to deal with influenza but still needed to maintain vigilance with a view to enhancing public health protection.
Speaking after the meeting, Dr Chow said the AQSIQ and the HWFB have established a very close liaison and excellent network of notification in monitoring food quality and safety.
"On the matter concerning a small quantity of coloured oranges found on sale in Hong Kong and the Mainland, we were informed that the AQSIQ had conducted a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure the safety of oranges for export to Hong Kong.
"According to understanding, Mainland authorities prohibit the use of colouring agents in the production and processing of oranges. The production and packaging of oranges for export to Hong Kong are subject to the control by the bureaux of China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ). The coloured oranges may be transported to Hong Kong through illegal channels by unscrupulous merchants.
"All oranges are required to pass an inspection test conducted by the relevant CIQ before they could be exported to Hong Kong.
"Following the incident, the CIQ has also strengthened the inspection and quarantine of oranges for export to Hong Kong to ensure the oranges are safe for consumption. " Dr Chow said.
Consensus was also reached for the export of chilled port from the Mainland.
Experts from both sides would continue negotiations on the inspection and quarantine procedures. It was intended to start the importation of chilled pork from the Mainland in the first quarter of next year, he added.
Earlier today, Dr Chow had a meeting with the National Chief Veterinary Officer and Director General of Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Jia Youling, to discuss cooperation and liaison mechanism. Both sides had exchanged views on the notification mechanism of animal infectious diseases and offshore fishing.
Dr Chow led a delegation comprising senior officials from his bureau and related departments on a two-day visit to Beijing on December 9 and 10 to enhance cooperation with the Mainland authorities on food safety, food supply and welfare.
The delegation will visit the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Civil Affairs tomorrow.
Joining Dr Chow on the visit today were: the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mrs Carrie Yau; the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Gregory Leung; the Director of Health, Dr Lam Ping-yan; and Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Lau Sin-pang.
Ends/Thursday, December 9, 2004
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