XN000022-1989-06-16 — Page 10

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS COMPLIED FULLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES) WITH REGARD TO ENDANGERED SPECIES. THIS INCLUDES STRICT CONTROL ON IVORY.

ITS REPRESENTATIVES WILL PARTICIPATE FULLY AT THE CITES AFRICAN ELEPHANT WORKING GROUP MEETING IN JULY AND THE CITT3 BIENNIAL CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE CITES AUTHORITY IN WORKING OUT STRICTER AND MORE PRACTICAL CONTROLS ON THE IVORY TRADE.

RELIEF GRANTS PAID OUT TO DISTRESSED FARMERS

:

EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS OF MORE THAN $586,900 HAD BEEN PAID TO NEEDY FARMERS WHO SUFFERED HEAVY LOSSES AS A RESULT OF TYPHOON BRENDA, IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY.(FRIDAY).

OF THE TOTAL, $372,000 HAD BEEN PAID TO 831 CROP AND LIVESTOCK FARMERS AND THE REMAINING $214,900 TO 143 FISH POND FARMERS,

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED APPLICATIONS FROM 1,306 APPLICANTS OF WHOM 974 FARMERS WERE FOUND ELIGIBLE AFTER CHECKING AND ASSESSMENT BY DEPARTMENT STAFF.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS RECEIVED AND INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, TYPHOON BRENDA HAD CAUSED FLOODING TO 119 HECTARES OF FARMLAND IN YUEN LONG AND THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES.

LIVESTOCK LOSSES INCLUDED SOME 53,520 POULTRY AND AGRICULTURAL LOSSES WERE ESTIMATED TO COST AT $6 MILLION.

1.180 PIGS.

HECTARES

THE TYPHOON ALSO CAUSED OVER-FLOODING TO SOME 160 FISH PONDS WITH LOSSES OF 265 TONNES OF POND FISH ESTIMATED AT MILLION.

OF

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*APART FROM THE RELIEF GRANTS, DISTRESSED FARMERS WHO ARE IN NEED OF FURTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO RESTORE THEIR FARMS MAY APPLY TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR LOW-INTEREST LOANS FROM THE KADOORIE AGRICULTURAL AID LOAN FUND AND THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION

LOAN FUND.

"LOANS FROM THESE FUNDS ARE GRANTED TO INDIVIDUAL FARMERS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND WORKING CAPITAL AND THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THEY ARE REQUIRED INCLUDE THE PURCHASE OF LIVESTOCK AND FEED, FERTILIZERS, INSECTICIDES, SEEDS, PLANTING MATERIAL, FARM EQUIPMENT, THE ERECTION OF FARM STRUCTURE, LAND FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT AND THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF FISH PONDS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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ENQUIRIES REGARDING LOW-INTEREST LOANS CAN BR MADE TELEPHONING THE DEPARTMENT'S AU TAU FISHERIES OFFICE AT 0-4769904 THE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT SECTION AT 3-7332168 AND 3-7332169.

BY

OR

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