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WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1987
HE SAID: THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THIS SECTOR HAS GREATLY IMPROVED. BETWEEN 1976 AND 1986, THE PRODUCTION PER HECTARES HAS INCREASED IN MONETARY TERMS BY 60 PER CENT.+
THE GOVERNMENT'S OBJECTIVE, MR YAXLEY WENT ON, WAS TO ENHANCE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF MARICULTURISTS THROUGH INCREASED TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY.
HE SAID HE NOTED THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG'S CONCERN OVER RECENT STAFF CHANGES IN THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT BUT SAID THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME OF STREAMLINING THE DEPARTMENT'S OPERATIONS WOULD NOT RESULT IN ANY ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO THE PRIMARY INDUSTRIES.
THE DEPARTMENT WAS IN REGULAR CONSULTATION WITH BOTH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES SECTORS, AND THERE WERE AT PRESENT A NUMBER OF COMMITTEES COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE INDUSTRIES TO ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT ON VARIOUS ISSUES.
A SUGGESTION BY MR WONG AND THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURAL ISSUES WOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE ADMINISTRATION, MR YAXLEY SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE MORE FORTHCOMING IN PRINT IN FUTURE ABOUT HONG KONG'S PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE TERRITORY'S WELFARE.
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE INDUSTRIES WAS IMPRESSIVE AND CREDIT MUST GO TO THE HARD WORK OF THE FARMERS AND FISHERMEN, AND THEIR FLEXIBILITY IN ADAPTING TO CHANGING NEEDS, MR YAXLEY CONCLUDED.
GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLAN TO KILL LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY
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THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PLANS TO DESTROY THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY OF HONG KONG AND THE OBJECT OF THE PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL WASTE CONTROL SCHEME WAS TO MAKE A RADICAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF WATERCOURSES AND COASTAL WATERS.
+WE HAVE NO OBJECTION TO PIGS AND CHICKENS BEING KEPT IN SUITABLE AREAS, PROVIDED PROPER MEASURES ARE TAKEN TO DISPOSE OF THE WASTES THEY PRODUCE, HE SAID, IN WINDING UP THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON PRIMARY INDUSTRIES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT LIVESTOCK FARMING WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTITUTED A SERIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD IN BUILT-UP AREAS.
/HE POINTED