FOOD SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES
During the year, the total production of the industries was valued at $2,699 million. It accounted for 5 per cent of vegetables, 39 per cent of cut flowers, 23 per cent of live pigs, 31 per cent of live poultry, 6 per cent of freshwater fish and 31 per cent of seafood sold locally. Approximately 18 980 people were employed directly in the industries. The overall output of the local agriculture and fisheries industries has remained relatively stable over the past few years.
Agriculture Industry
Local agriculture is directed towards the production of high quality, fresh food crops. through intensive land use. Farming is largely undertaken in the New Territories and just 2 per cent of the land area is under cultivation. Overall, the most common crops cultivated are vegetables and cut flowers, and production was valued at about $272 million in 2003. Pigs and poultry are the principal animals reared for food and the value of locally produced pigs amounted to $529 million and that of poultry, including chickens and pigeons, to $251 million.
As a result of limited supply of farm land and labour, competition from imports, raised environmental standards and calls for improved farm hygiene and safe produce, the local agriculture industry has to adapt rapidly to sustain its long-term development.
The AFCD encourages crop farmers to target specific niche markets and enhance their competitiveness by cultivating safe as well as quality vegetables. The department has cooperated with the local organic farming organisations and the Vegetable Marketing Organisation to develop organic farming and the market for organic vegetables in Hong Kong. So far, farmers from four local farming districts have joined the Organic Farming Conversion Scheme. The AFCD also promotes the use of greenhouse technology for intensive high-value crop production. During the year, two new vegetable varieties suitable for local production - jade Chinese kale and strawberry were introduced to farmers for production.
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The voluntary Accredited Farm Scheme operated by the AFCD and the Vegetable Marketing Organisation since 1994 aims to supply clean and safe vegetables. This programme has continued to expand with an additional six farms accredited. The organisation continued to use a 'Good Farmer' cartoon logo to promote accredited produce.
Fisheries Industry
Fresh fish constitute one of Hong Kong's most important primary products. Productions from capture and culture fisheries in 2003 were estimated at about 157 400 tonnes and 3 840 tonnes respectively, with a total value of $1.6 billion.
The Hong Kong fishing fleet comprises some 4 630 vessels which are manned by around 10 100 local fishermen and 3 800 Mainland deckhands. The predominant fishing method is trawling, which accounted for 84 per cent of the catch, or 131 700 tonnes. Other fishing methods include lining, gill netting and purse-seining. The 157 400 tonne total fish catch had an estimated wholesale value of $1.5 billion. Discounting the catch landed or sold outside Hong Kong, some 63 000 tonnes of the catch were supplied for local consumption.
Under licence from the AFCD, 1 157 mariculturists operate in 26 designated fish culture zones. They supplied 1 490 tonnes of live marine fish valued at $76 million.
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