Press Releases

SFH visits chilled beef processing plant and cattle farm in Changchun (with photos)

The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, this morning (December 7) visited a chilled beef processing plant and its associated beef cattle farm in Changchun to learn more about the plant's operation and production facilities, as well as the management, hygiene and disease prevention measures adopted by the farm.

Dr Chow first visited the plant, which is registered for the processing and export of chilled beef under the State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. It will supply Mainland chilled beef to Hong Kong.

In operation since 2000, the processing plant is well equipped with cleansing and disinfection facilities, and 400 beef cattle can be slaughtered daily. Veterinarians are stationed at the plant for cattle inspection.

Dr Chow then visited the cattle farm, which opened in 2003 to provide cattle, mainly to the plant. The farm is subject to inspection and quarantine carried out by the Jilin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau. The farm has put in place stringent controls regarding animal hygiene and disease prevention, as well as guidelines on disinfection, disease prevention measures, management of cattle and cattle feces. Dedicated veterinarians are also hired to supervise and monitor hygiene and disease prevention control measures at the farm.

Noting that officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department had already inspected the processing plant and the cattle farm, Dr Chow said it was considered that both establishments maintain a good standard of environmental hygiene, production processes, disease prevention and quarantine measures. He expressed his gratitude to the staff at both facilities, and hoped that they would provide Hong Kong with reasonably priced chilled beef that also meets the food hygiene and safety standards.

Before returning to Hong Kong this afternoon, Dr Chow met with the Vice-Governor of Jilin Province, Mr Chen Waigen, and Director General of the Jilin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Mr Zhao Zhenshuan, to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.



Ends/Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:42

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(Photo 1), (Photo 2), (Photo 3), (Photo 4), (Photo 5), (Photo 6)