Press Releases
Business operation of chilled meat traders should follow market economy principles
A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau today (April 26) pointed out that
the business operation of chilled meat traders, like that of other food
traders, should follow market economy principles.
The remarks were made in response to media enquiries regarding a petition by
the Hong Kong Chilled Meat and Poultry Association outside Central
Government Offices earlier today requesting the Government to allocate a
site at low rentals to the trade.
The spokesman said that the Government has been in contact with the
association through different channels to listen to the trade's views. The
Government would carefully listen to the views and requests expressed by the
trade, and maintain dialogue with relevant parties.
With regard to the trade's concern about enforcement action taken by the
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the spokesman emphasised
that importers and traders of chilled meat must store or process that meat
in premises that have been granted relevant food business licences to ensure
food safety and environmental hygiene. Food that must be stored in licensed
cold stores or cold storage facilities of other licensed premises is not
limited to chilled meat and poultry, but also milk beverages, frozen
confections, chilled seafood, etc. They are all subject to a consistent set
of requirements and enforcement standards by the FEHD.
The spokesman said, "There is no certainty or assurance as to the hygiene
conditions and facilities of premises without a food business licence. For
instance, there may be a lack of steady electricity supply to maintain the
temperature of refrigeration facilities, as well as deficiencies in the
provision of mains water, sanitary fitments and lighting. Therefore, storing
and processing chilled meat in these premises presents a considerable food
safety risk.
"We appeal to the trade to abide by the rules and exercise self-discipline.
If chilled meat traders wish to apply for the relevant food business
licences, the FEHD is prepared to explain to them the requirements concerned
and will take into full account their mode of operation when considering
their applications. As a matter of fact, there have been newly issued cold
store licences in recent years, as well as successful applications for the
relevant licence by individual traders to operate their chilled and frozen
meat business legally. This shows that the existing licensing regime is
working well."
As regards the request to allocate a site to the trade, the spokesman said
that the nature and mode of operation of the chilled meat importation
business are not the same as for fresh foods. Additionally, Hong Kong has a
well developed logistics industry and a large-scale cold storage business.
While noting that the chilled meat trading business may have certain unique
features regarding its operation, the trade should first approach the market
and discuss with cold store operators a commercial arrangement for securing
appropriate premises in the long term.
Ends/Thursday, April 26, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:07
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