XN000022-1987-06-05 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1987

2

STIFFER PENALTIES FOR BREACHES OF HYGIENE LAWS

THE

MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR FOOD HYGIENE LAWS UNDER THE ORDINANCE OR REGULATIONS MADE

A BILL SEEKING TO INCREASE CONTRAVENING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES UNDER THE ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).

OF

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AIM AT UPDATING THE EXISTING LEVELS PENALTIES IMPOSED UNDER THE ORDINANCE WHICH ARE LOSING DETERRENT EFFECT.

A MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1960. A MAJOR REVISION WAS LAST MADE IN 1978/79, BUT THE MAJORITY OF PENALTIES HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED AND NOW REQUIRE REVISION.

HE ADDED THAT THE PROPOSED REVISION WAS TO IMPROVE CONTROL UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

"A WORKING GROUP OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS AND THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH HAS CONDUCTED A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE PENALTIES INVOLVED AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED BY REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE RAISED GENERALLY BY 150 PER CENT TO 200 PER CENT, 1.E. FROM $10,000 TO $25,000 IN RESPECT OF FINES AND FROM $250 TO $600 IN RESPECT OF THE DAILY PENALTY {

(THE MAXIMUM PRISON SENTENCE WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED AT SIX MONTHS), HE SAID.

"

THE PROPOSALS HAVE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT:

THE INFLATION RATE BASED ON THE MOVEMENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) BETWEEN 1978/79 (WHEN THE LAST MAJOR REVISION OF FINES WAS MADE) AND 1985/86;

* THE INCREASE IN ENFORCEMENT STAFF COSTS DURING THE SAME

PERIOD; AND

* THE NATURE AND SERIOUSNESS OF EACH OFFENCE AND THE

REQUIRED.

DETERRENT

"FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR LITTERING SHOULD BE INCREASED FROM $1,000 ΤΟ $2,500 AND THE DAILY FINE FROM $50 TO $150; AND THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR HAWKING WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE BE INCREASED FROM $1,000 FINE TO $2,500 FINE AND ONE MONTH IMPRISONMENT (FOR FIRST CONVICTION), AND TO $5,000 FINE AND 6 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT (FOR SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION), WHILST THE DAILY FINE SHOULD BE INCREASED FROM $50 TO $150.

THE PROPOSED