XN000022-1986-04-30 — Page 10

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1986

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FURTHER MEASURES ON SYNTHETIC HORMONES

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THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING FURTHER MEASURES TO PREVENT THE USE OF SYNTHETIC HORMONES IN LOCALLY BRED POULTRY AND TO ROHIBIT THE SALE OF MEAT CONTAINING HORMONE RESIDUES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY)

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAMBERS SAID IT WAS HOPED AMENDMENTS TO THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS TO PROHIBIT THE USE AND POSSESSION OF UNREGISTERED PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INCLUDING PROSCRIBED SYNTHETIC HORMONES, IN THE POULTRY INDUSTRY WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE CURRENT YEAR.

HE ADDED THAT CONSIDERATION WAS ALSO BEING GIVEN TO AMENDING THE HARMFUL SUBSTANCES IN FOOD REGULATIONS, MADE UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, TO PROHIBIT THE IMPORTATION, DELIVERY OR SALE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OF FISH, MEAT, POULTRY (INCLUDING FROZEN CHICKEN), AND THE RETAIL SALE OF LIVE POULTRY WHICH CONTAINED CERTAIN HARMFUL SYNTHETIC HORMONES.

MR CHAMBERS NOTED THAT WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 19, 1983, SYNTHETIC HORMONES, OR STILBENE DERIVATIVES, WHICH WERE USED AS GROWTH STIMULANTS IN THE POULTRY INDUSTRY, WERE DEREGISTERED UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS.

+AS A RESULT, THE IMPORTATION, SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THESE HORMONES ARE NOW PROHIBITED, HE SAID.

FEW CASES DISMISSED THROUGH POLICE ABSENCE

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THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE TOOK A VERY SERIOUS VIEW OF A POLICE OFFICER FAILING TO ATTEND THE COURT WHEN REQUIRED TO DO SO, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR THOMAS SAID

AS A RESULT, DISCIPLINARY ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN WHEN APPROPRIATE. THE INCIDENCE OF CRIMINAL COURT CASES BEING DISMISSED DUE TO POLICE OFFICERS' FAILURE. TO ATTEND COURT WAS LOW.

/+THE GOVERNMENT

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