THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1987
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LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL BILL TO BE GAZETTED
A BILL WHICH AMENDS THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE TEN-YEAR LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL PROGRAMME WILL GAZETTED NEXT FRIDAY (JUNE 12).
BK
UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT} BILL 1987, LIVESTOCK KEEPING WILL BE PROHIBITED IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON AND THE NEW TOWNS WHILE IN THE REST OF THE TERRITORY, THE STORAGE, COLLECTION, TREATMENT, TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE WILL BE CONTROLLED BY REGULATIONS.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 24. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH ΤΟ EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS CAN WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES OR TO OMELCO AT 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH EXPLAINED THAT THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL PROGRAMME WOULD BE PHASED OVER
10 YEARS. то ASSIST LIVESTOCK FARMERS TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTROLS, FREE COLLECTION SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED DURING PHASE 1 OF THE SCHEME.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT POLLUTION FROM ANIMAL WASTE HAD BEEN A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM.
"LIVESTOCK FARMING IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND POSES SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS WHERE POLLUTED WATER IS USED FOR IRRIGATION OR WHERE SHELL FISHERIES AND PUBLIC BEACHES BECOME CONTAMINATED.
"LIVESTOCK WASTE POLLUTION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 70 PER CENT OF ALL STREAM POLLUTION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND 50 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ORGANIC POLLUTION ENTERING THE SEA. IT HAS LED TO A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN THE QUALITY OF COASTAL WATERS, PARTICULARLY IN TOLO HARBOUR, AND IMPOSES HIGH COSTS ON THE COMMUNITY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 50,000 TONNES PER MONTH OF LIVESTOCK WASTE IS CURRENTLY DISCHARGED UNTREATED INTO HONG KONG'S WATERCOURSES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THERE ARE VARIOUS EXISTING CONTROLS ON THE DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL WASTE, THEY WERE PIECEMEAL AND INEFFECTIVE. "THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME PROVIDES TERRITORIAL STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM, HE SAID.
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LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN PROHIBITED AREAS AND THOSE IN CONTROLLED AREAS WHO SATISFY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS AND HAVE THEREFORE CEASED LIVESTOCK KEEPING, WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS. A "FREEZING" SURVEY OF EXISTING LIVESTOCK FARMS WILL BE CONDUCTED TO ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY FOR EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT IMPLEMENTATION REQUIRE AN EXPENDITURE OF AROUND $500 MILLION YEARS.
OF THE PROPOSALS WILL OVER A PERIOD OF 10
THE SPOKESMAN