XN000022-1987-10-14 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1987

EARLY ACTION VITAL TO COMBAT POLLUTION

AGRICULTURAL WASTE FROM PIGS AND CHICKENS IS PERHAPS THE. BIGGEST SINGLE POLLUTION PROBLEM THAT HONG KONG FACES, AND IT JS VITAL THAT EARLY STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO DEAL WITH IT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987. MR CHAMBERS SAID THIS EARLY ACTION WOULD BE NECESSARY IF HONG KONG WAS TO PREVENT ITS WATERS FROM BECOMING AND REMAINING UNACCEPTABLY POLLUTED. "TOLO HARBOUR IS ALREADY DYING, HE SAID.

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MR CHAMBERS DESCRIBED THE BILL AS HIGHLY TECHNICAL CONTROVERSIAL, AND HE SAID HE APPRECIATED THE GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND EFFORT WHICH MEMBERS HAD DEVOTED TO ITS EXAMINATION.

"I WAS ALSO VERY PLEASED TO HEAR THE MEMBERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN THIS AFTERNOON, WITH ONE EXCEPTION, VOICE THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE AGRICULTURAL WASTE CONTROL SCHEME, HE ADDED.

"

HE SAID HE WAS GRATEFUL THAT MEMBERS HAD AGREED THAT THE FIRST PHASE OF THE CONTROL SCHEME SHOULD START ON JUNE 24, 1988.

REFERRING TO CONCERN EXPRESSED BY SEVERAL MEMBERS ABOUT THE TIME TAKEN TO SET UP EXPERIMENTAL FARM PROJECTS ON THE VARIOUS METHODS OF DEALING WITH ANIMAL WASTE, MR CHAMBERS SAID HE WOULD BE THE FIRST TO A GREE THAT THE PROJECTS AT TA KWU LING TOOK LONGER ESTABLISH THAN WOULD HAVE BEEN WISHED.

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MR CHAMBERS NOTED THERE HAD BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF DISCUSSION THE 50:50 STANDARD WHICH THE DRAFT REGULATIONS REQUIRED WHEN THE WET MUCK-OUT METHOD WAS

USED, AND WHICH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT BELIEVED WAS NECESSARY IF SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS WERE BE ACHIEVED.

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'WE HAVE AGREED TO HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON THIS WITH THE HOC GROUP BEFORE THE REGULATIONS ARE MADE BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL," HE SAID.

AD

FOR FARMERS WHO INTENDED TO GIVE UP KEEPING LIVESTOCK UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, MR. CHAMBERS SAID THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAD APPROVED A SCHEME PAYING SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED RATES OF COMPENSATION.

FOR THOSE WHO WISHED TO CONTINUE, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL LAST WEEK APPROVED A GRANT SCHEME COVERING HALF

TREATMENT THE CAPITAL COST OF INSTALLING

FACILITIES; FARMERS WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO OBTAIN LOANS TO COVER ALL OR PART OF THE REMAINING COST FROM FUNDS ADMINISTERFO BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

DEPARTMENT.

"THE ESTIMATED