THE ENVIRONMENT
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about $55 million has been paid out in capital grants. Farmers ceasing business are eligible for an allowance and about $865 million has been paid.
During the year, the livestock waste control scheme prevented pollution equivalent to the raw sewage from 190 000 people being discharged into the environment. This brought the total reduction in livestock waste pollution to over 88 per cent since the inception of the control scheme.
Ozone Layer Protection
A Global Responsibility
Joining a global effort, Hong Kong has fully taken up its obligations under the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. The Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance was introduced in 1989. Hong Kong has prohibited both local manufacture and import of substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. CFCs are commonly used as refrigerants in air conditioners and freezers, and halons as reagents in fire extinguishers. The EPD is also implementing a quota system to control the import of other substances with less ozone-depleting potential. In 1997, there were 14 prosecutions against illegal import of ozone-depleting substances, a similar number to the previous year, with fines totalling $223,000.
Neighbourhood Noise
Noise originating from domestic premises and public places is called neighbourhood noise and is handled by the police in response to complaints. In 1997, the police dealt with some 800 complaints and 10 offenders were convicted. Legislation to prevent continuous and prolonged noise nuisance from unnecessary activation of vehicle burglar alarms was implemented in April 1997.
Import and Export of Waste
A permit control scheme on the import and export of waste under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) (Cap. 354) came into operation on September 1, 1996. The scheme is fully in line with the letter and spirit of the Basle Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal which provides a framework for controlling the movement of such wastes.
The main control mechanism under the convention is the effect a system of prior notification and consent by the authorities of the states of import, export and transit before the commencement of shipments of hazardous or non-recyclable waste. The import of hazardous or non-recyclable waste without a permit, regardless of the purpose of the import, is an offence under the WDO. Maximum penalties are a fine of $200,000 and six months imprisonment for the first offence and $500,000 and two years for subsequent offences.
Provision of Facilities and Services
Hong Kong produces more than two million tonnes of sewage and more than 8 700 tonnes of municipal solid wastes every day. The government plans to improve the local sewerage networks under a series of sewerage master plans. Under a disposal scheme for the main urban areas, a new system of collection shafts and tunnels is being built to transfer sewage to a central treatment plant on Stonecutters Island. Eventually, treated effluent will be discharged through an oceanic outfall. An environmental impact assessment now under way will determine the best combination of treatment level and outfall location.