XN000022-1987-05-06 — Page 9

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1987

COMMENTING ON THE CONCEPT OF DESIGNATING AGRICULTURAL PRIORITY AREAS AS ADVOCATED BY MR TAI CHIN-WAH, MR BARNES SAID IT WAS AN EXPLORATORY STEP TOWARDS REVERSING THE TENDENCY TO CONVERT GOOD FARM LAND INTO OTHER USES.

+THE INTENTION IS THAT AREAS IDENTIFIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES SHOULD BE DESIGNATED IN GOVERNMENT NON-STATUTORY SUB-REGIONAL PLANNING STATEMENTS AS BEING PLANNED FOR AGRICULTURE.

+GENERALLY SPEAKING THESE ARE AREAS WHERE LITTLE LAND HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO OTHER USES AND WHERE AGRICULTURE IS STILL FLOURISHING.

+SOME OF THESE PLANNING STATEMENTS ARE, AND ALL WILL BE, DISCUSSED IN DISTRICT BOARDS, AND IT IS HOPED THAT THIS DISCUSSION WILL HELP GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE WHETHER THE OBJECTIVE TO ENCOURAGE AGRICULTURE IS WORTH PURSUING ACTIVELY AND CARRYING FORWARD TO, SAY. STATUTORY PROTECTION ON THE LINES OF COUNTRY PARK OR TOWN PLANNING LEGISLATION, INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO ENCOURAGE PRODUCTION,+ HE SAID.

REFERRING TO THE PROBLEM OF THE BUILDING OF DOMESTIC HOUSES ON FARM LAND, MR BARNES SAID SO MANY PEOPLE LIVED ON OR AROUND FARM LANDS THAT IT WAS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO SORT OUT THE FARMERS FROM THE REST. MOREOVER THE OLD FARMER'S HOUSE RELATING TO A PIECE OF FARM LAND WAS OFTEN OCCUPIED BY SOMEONE ELSE.

+ HOWEVER, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES HAS RECOGNISED THAT THERE SOMEIMTES IS A PROBLEM AND IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, IS TRYING OUT SCHEMES IN TWO AREAS FOR PERMITTING GENUINE FARMERS TO BUILD PROPER DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION ON THEIR LAND.+

+ IF IT IS SHOWN THAT THIS IS A REAL STIMULUS TO OUR AGRICULTURE AND THAT IT WORKS IN OTHER RESPECTS, THE GENERAL APPLICATION OF THE SCHEME SHOULD BE SUPPORTED, MR BARNES SAID.

GOVERNMENT URGED TO ASSIST DEEP SEA FISHING INDUSTRY

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THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROVIDE GREATER ASSISTANCE TO HONG KONG'S DEEP SEA FISHING INDUSTRY, THE HON WONG PO-YAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, MR WONG SAID THAT WITH TECHNOLOGI CÀL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT, HONG KONG'S FISHING FLEET HAD ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT MODERNISATION IN RECENT YEARS.

/+AS A