XN000022-1987-10-14 — Page 12

-

10

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1987

"THEY ALSO FEEL THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS BECAUSE THE COST INVOLVED IN REARING LIVESTOCK WILL RISE TO SUCH A HIGH LEVEL THAT THE FARMERS WILL PROBABLY RUN INTO LOSSES AND BE FORCED OUT OF BUSINESS.

-

'JUDGING FROM THE AVERAGE EDUCATION STANDARD AMONG OUR FARMERS, IT CAN BE SAID THAT FARMING IS THEIR ONLY MEANS OF MAKING A LIVING, SO I AM OF THE OPINION THAT THEIR WORRIES ARE FULLY UNDERSTANDABLE, MR LAU SAID,

11

"I BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE SOME 200,000 PEOPLE ENGAGED IN THE LIVESTOCK KEEPING INDUSTRY BE IN THE PREDICAMENT OF LOSING THEIR EMPLOYMENT, FOR SUCH A CRISIS WILL LEAD TO A SERIES OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS WHICH MAY INDIRECTLY UNDERMINE THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG," HE CONTINUED.

THE

ON BE SET

MR LAU SUPPORTED A PROPOSAL OF SETTING UP A COMMITTEE ISSUE. FURTHERMORE, HE URGED THAT A SPECIAL DEPARTMENT SHOULD UP BY THE GOVERNMENT, OR THAT AN AD HOC GROUP BE SET UP BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO GIVE GUIDANCE TO FARMERS ON TECHNICAL MATTERS AND TO HELP THEM RESOLVE ANY DIFFICULTIES WHICH MIGHT ARISE FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW LEGISLATION.

"ABOVE ALL, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET UP A COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, THE MEMBERSHIP OF WHICH SHOULD PREFERABLY INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES OF LIVESTOCK FARMERS, то REVIEW AND REVISE THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AND RELATED COMPENSATION PAYMENT ON A REGULAR BASIS, HE URGED.

17

ADEQUATE RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

AND

SO

RESOURCES MUST BE AS TO DEVELOP AND

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CANNOT BE ACHIEVED BY MEANS OF LEGISLATIVE CONTROL ALONE AND ADEQUATE POWER MADE AVAILABLE TO THE RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT IMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MEASURES.

THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987.

ATTACHED

ENOUGH

HE SAID HONG KONG'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM TODAY WOULD NOT HAVE BECOME SO ACUTE IF THE GOVERNMENT IMPORTANCE TO IT.

HAD EARLIER

/IT IS