XN000022-1985-06-23 — Page 8

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1985

*THE URBAN COUNCIL, WHICH MANAGES THE ABATTOIR AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, ALSO GRANTS PERMITS FOR THOSE VEHICLES THAT CAN ENTER IT TO COLLECT CARCASES, THIS HAS GIVEN US THE LEVERAGE TO PERSUADE THE TRANSPORT COMPANIES TO REPLACE THE IR OLD VEHICLES WITH SPECIALLY-FITTED VANS. THE PROCESS OF CONVERTING AND REPLACING THE TRUCKS IS NOW COMPLETE.

+MANY OF THE OLD VEHICLES WERE OPEN OR HALF-OPEN LORRIES IN WHICH CARCASES USED TO BE PILED ON WOODEN FLOORS. THE NEW PURPOSE-DESIGNED VANS ARE LINED WITH METAL AND ARE FITTED WITH ROLLER RACKS, WELL CLEAR OF THE FLOOR, ON WHICH CARCASES CAN BE LAID. THE IMPROVEMENT, IN TERMS OF CLEANLINESS, IS OBVIOUS. +

THE OTHER IMPORTANT STAGE OF BULK TRANSPORTATION APPLIES TO THOSE CARCASES THAT HAVE TO BE MOVED ON TO RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL OUTLETS AFTER PASSING THROUGH FOOD FACTORIES FOR ROASTING.

+ THE SAME SORT OF IMPROVEMENT WAS NEEDED IN THESE OPERATIONS ALSO, SAYS MR NG. THE BASIC NEED WAS FOR CLOSED STEEL-LINED VANS TO REPLACE THE VARIOUS TYPES OF LESS ADEQUATE VEHICLES EMPLOYED PREVIOUSLY.+

THERE ARE EIGHT LICENSED PIG-ROASTING ESTABLISHMENTS IN KOWLOON, WHERE MOST CARCASES ARE ROASTED IN VAST WOOD-FUELLED PITS. ALL THOSE FACTORIES ARE LICENSED BY THE COUNCIL, AND MOST OF THEM USE THEIR OWN VEHICLES TO DELIVER THE COOKED CARCASES TO THEIR CLIENTS.

MR NG ADDS THAT THE USD HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE OPERATORS ABOUT THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR NEW OR IMPROVED VANS WHICH WOULD MEET HYGIENIC STANDARDS. +AS IN OUR DEALINGS WITH THE TRANSPORT FIRMS COLLECTING FROM THE ABATTOIRS, WE HAVE HAD TO INSIST THAT IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE. BUT GENERALLY WE HAVE GOOD WORKING RELATIONS WITH THE TRADE.

+THE PROCESS OF CONVERTING AND REPLACING THE ROAST-CARCASE DELIVERY VEHICLES IS NOT QUITE COMPLETED YET. BUT THE NEW VANS NOW MAKE UP ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THESE FLEETS.+

MR NG REGARDS THE INTRODUCTION OF BETTER VEHICLES AS A CONSIDERABLE ADVANCE AS ONE BATTLE WON IN THE ON-GOING

AND WAR AGAINST FOOD HAZARDS, BUT THE CAMPAIGN IS NOT OVER, HE STRESSES THAT FURTHER EFFORTS ARE CALLED FOR.

+ THE FOOD BUSINESS BY-LAWS MAKE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT WE ARE REQUIRED AND EMPOWERED -- TO ACT DECISIVELY TO SEE THAT FOOD IS NOT EXPOSED TO CONTAMINATION WHILE IT IS MOVED FROM PLACE TO PLACE.

/+OUR RESPONSIBILITY