XN000022-1976-05-14 — Page 8

FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1976

CONTROL ON EXPORT OF MARINE FISH

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THE EXPORTATION OF MARINE FISH MAY COME UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL IF AND WHEN THE EXPORTS REACH SUCH AN EXTENT AS TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SUPPLY AND PRICE OF FISH IN THE DOMESTIC MARKET.

THESE CONTROL MEASURES ARE OUTLINED IN THE MARINE FISH (MARKETING) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1976 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY..

THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS EMPOWERS THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO INTRODUCE RESTRICTIONS ON THE EXPORT OF ANY SPECIES OF MARINE FISH, WHEN ITS EXPORTATION AFFECTS THE LOCAL SUPPLY OR PRICE, OR IF IT IS AGAINST THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE RESTRICTIONS SHALL BE IN FORCE UNTIL THE SITUATION RETURNS TO NORMAL.

EXPLAINING THE INTENTION OF THE REGULATIONS, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. TED NICHOLS, POINTED OUT THAT NO RESTRICTION WOULD BE IMPOSED IN NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

HE SAID ALTHOUGH FISH EXPORTERS COULD BE INCONVENIENCED BY HAVING TO COMPLY WITH THE FORMALITIES WHEN SUCH A RESTRICTION IS SO ORDERED, AN INHERENT ADVANTAGE IN THE NEW SYSTEM WAS THAT IT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN A FLEXIBLE MANNER SO THAT SUPPLIES OF MARINE FISH TO THE POPULATION ARE NOT PREJUDICED BY EXPORTS.

HE STRESSED THAT IT WAS NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO INTERFERE WITH THE ROUTINE EXPORT OF MARINE FISH, BUT TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF LOCAL CONSUMERS IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

IF SUCH A SITUATION OCCURRED, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SEEK TO REGULATE THE EXPORT OF FISH ONLY TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION AT A REASONABLE PRICE.

THE REGULATIONS STIPULATE THAT SHOULD SUCH A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE ARISE MARINE FISH MAY NOT BE EXPORTED FROM HONG KONG EXCEPT UNDER A PERMIT GRANTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, AND THAT, WHERE THE DIRECTOR REFUSES TO GRANT A PERMIT, ANY PERSON AGGRIEVED THEREBY MAY APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AGAINST SUCH REFUSAL.

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