XN000022-1987-02-19 — Page 7

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1987

IN ADDITION, THEY WENT TO HANG TAU TO SEE A RIVER SO POLLUTED BY AGRICULTURAL WASTES THAT IT HAS A THICK CRUST OVER THE ENTIRE SURFACE.

A PROGRAMME TO CONTROL THE POLLUTION RESULTING FROM ANIMAL WASTE WAS LAST YEAR PRESENTED TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTING FARMING INTERESTS, AND DISCUSSED AND APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES THE BANNING OF LIVESTOCK FARMING ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN KOWLOON AND NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. IN ALL OTHER AREAS THE DISCHARGE OF ANIMAL WASTE WILL BE CONTROLLED BY REGULATIONS.

BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF FARMS, THE PROGRAMME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED OVER TEN YEARS IN THREE PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE WILL INCLUDE ALL THE BANNED AREAS, AND ESTABLISH CONTROLS IN THE TOLO HARBOUR AREA AND THE NORTH DISTRICT.

THE SECOND PHASE WILL EXTEND CONTROLS TO MOST OF THE REMAINING HEAVILY POLLUTED AREAS, IN PARTICULAR THE YUEN LONG HINTERLAND.

THE THIRD PHASE WILL BE THE OUTLYING ISLANDS AND A FEW REMAINING AREAS OF MAINLAND NEW TERRITORIES.

TO HELP FARMERS COMPLY WITH THE NEW CONTROLS THE GOVERNMENT WILL, IN EACH CONTROLLED AREA, SET UP COLLECTION SERVICES FOR ANIMAL WASTE. EXPERIENCE IN OPERATING SUCH SERVICES HAS BEEN GAINED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS THROUGH THE OPERATION OF THE PAT HEUNG COLLECTION SCHEME, ESTABLISHED ORIGINALLY BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, AND SINCE APRIL 1, 1986 OPERATED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.

THE PARTY ALSO SAW THE COLLECTION SERVICE IN OPERATION WHICH PICKED UP ANIMAL WASTE DELIVERED BY FARMERS TO ROADSIDE COLLECTION POINTS.

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CIVIC EDUCATION BOOST FOR CENTRAL-WESTERN

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A FULL RANGE OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FROM LATE FEBRUARY UNTIL MID-MARCH TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG RESIDENTS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.

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PROGRAMMES INCLUDING YOUTH CAMP SEA CRUISE, RESEARCH PROJECT, EXHIBITIONS, AND COMPETITIONS WILL BE PRESENTED IN A PACKAGE KNOWN AS THE +CIVIC EDUCATION SUITE+.

/AIMED AT

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