Press Releases
Govt steps up enforcement to prevent problem vegetables from entering HK
In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau
said today (January 2) that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
and the Customs and Excise Department (Customs) would continue to maintain
close liaison, exchange intelligence and take joint actions to prevent
problem poultry meat and vegetables from coming into Hong Kong.
"To crack down on import of poultry meat and vegetables through improper
channels, FEHD and the Customs have already strengthened their enforcement
to increase inspection on inbound vehicles at the border checkpoints,
particularly vegetables trucks at Man Kam To checkpoint.
"FEHD will also step up its inspection on retail outlets to bar problem
chilled poultry from being sold in markets," the spokesman said.
From 2007 to end of November 2008, FEHD has inspected some 55,000 vegetable
trucks at Man Kam To Control Point. The department did not find any cases in
which the source of vegetables is not in compliance with the documents. The
passing rate of test results of over 37,000 vegetable samples collected by
the department at various levels from 2007 up till now is 99.9 per cent.
"The Government will contact the Mainland authorities to investigate reports
of unscrupulous importers using false documents to import vegetables from
non-registered Mainland farms and to take joint actions against problem
vegetables from entering Hong Kong.
"FEHD has distributed promotional leaflets to drivers of cross-boundary
vegetable trucks asking them not to transport problem poultry meat and
vegetables and to stay alert of such activities.
"We also appeal to the trade to report to FEHD and the Customs any suspected
smuggling activities or relevant information and intelligence. This can help
the enforcement departments to follow up and take swift actions against
smuggling activities to protect public health as well as interests of the
trade," the spokesman said.
The spokesman added that the Government noted that there were two channels
for distribution of vegetables �V through direct sale and wholesalers. The
retail price of vegetables through these two channels might be different.
The Government also noted that wholesalers were concerned about the impact
of market competition on them.
"While striving to ensure food safety, the Government will also keep in view
the consumers' rights in the price and quality of vegetables purchased
through the two competing distribution channels, " he said.
The Customs has found at Man Kam To Control Point two cases of violations
against the Import and Export Ordinance, involving the smuggling of fresh
poultry, fresh pork and motor spirit in vegetable trucks from January to
November last year.
Ends/Friday, January 2, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:08
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