HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE
2 November 1988 香港立法局——————————一九八八年十一月二日
COUNCIL
29
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, the recent food poisoning cases were caused by the consumption of vegetables contaminated with methamidophos, a toxic pesticide the import, possession or use of which is prohibited in Hong Kong. Investigations have confirmed that these vegetables were imported from China, where the use of methamidophos on vegetables is prohibited.
Since a previous outbreak of food poisoning cases in late 1987, which was traceable also to vegetables imported from Shenzhen and contaminated with the same pesticide, the Municipal Services Branch has kept the situation under review. It has intensified inspection and sampling at the points of entry. It has also obtained the co-operation of the Shenzhen Import and Export Commodity Inspection Bureau. Both the Municipal Services Branch and the bureau are of the view that control is best exercised at the source of production. A recent meeting in Shenzhen between them has led to the introduction by the bureau of an improved system of export control. Farmers in Shenzhen are now required to submit to the bureau written declarations of the dates on which pesticide was sprayed, the kind and concentration of pesticide used, as well as the dates of harvest. These control measures are supplemented by random tests for residues. Subject to the bureau's clearance, export consignments are tagged for identification.
Since the start of the current outbreak, the Municipal Services Branch has, as a further step to strengthen the system, obtained the Bureau's agreement to prohibit, with effect from 1 November 1988, the export of untagged vegetable consignments to Hong Kong. This measure applies to all vegetable consignments exported to Hong Kong through Shenzhen, including those produced in other parts of China outside Shenzhen.
The Government will continue to review control strategies, in co-operation with the Shenzhen authorities, in order to reduce the risk of further outbreaks.
梁煒彤議員問:主席先生,從衛生福利司的答覆中,應付所謂毒菜事件,基本上是由深圳方面採 取進一步行動,在香港方面,都是由昨天開始禁止未有標籤的菜蔬由深圳輸入,如在答覆最後一 段指出,會繼續檢討管制策略,我想問,政府是否認為再沒有更有效措施可以採取,又是否表示 蔬菜入口的檢查,抽樣檢驗的工作是否足夠,政府是否會立例規定在香港出售的蔬菜,所使用的 農藥是否要符合標準,以進一步保障市民的健康?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: I must, Sir, correct the false impression that Miss LEUNG might have obtained. As far I understand the action taken yesterday by staff of the Municipal Services Branch at the border