XN000022-1989-11-08 — Page 24

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1989

•

ΤΟ

BEEN SUGGESTED,

MRS CHAN SAID ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT WAS GIVING ATTENTION THE IDEA OF AN INTERNATIONAL BUY-OUT FUND, WHICH HAD SHE WAS NOT OPTIMISTIC OF ITS SUCCESS.

"WE

-

ARE.

THEREFORE,

-

TAKING FORWARD THE ENTERING OF A

'SHORT SHORT-TERM AND I EMPHASISE

TERM'

TO RESERVATION

ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR TRADERS TO DISPOSE OF THEIR EXISTING BUSINESSES AND FOR THE RETRAINING SCHEME FOR IVORY CRAFTSMEN TO BE IMPLEMENTED, SHE CONCLUDED.

FISHERIES IS THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND

HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TRADE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY UNDER THE CONVENTION ON ENDANGERED SPECIES.

THE

IN

RURAL PLANNING. IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY

IN AN ATTEMPT ΤΟ TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF UNCONTROLLED DEVELOPMENT AND THE DETERIORATION OF THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT. THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO IMPLEMENT. OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, A RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY,

THE SECRETARY

SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE

WEDNESDAY).

FOR ECONOMIC COUNCIL TODAY

MRS CHAN SAID THAT AS A CONTRIBUTION TO THIS STRATEGY, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT. IN ADDITION TO ITS TECHNICAL AND CREDIT ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO FARMERS. HAD ESTABLISHED AN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FUND OF $5 MILLION FINANCED BY THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION.

SHE ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO CARRIED OUT A PILOT AGRICULTURAL LAND REHABILITATION SCHEME AT TWO SELECTED AREAS.

"WE HAVE OBTAINED ENCOURAGING RESULTS IN BRINGING 6.5 HECTARES OF FALLOW LAND BACK TO CULTIVATION SINCE JULY 1988.

"THE INTENTION IS TO EXTEND THIS SCHEME то TIE IN WITH THE REVISED RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY, SO AS TO UTILISE OUR FALLOW LAND FOR ACTIVE PRODUCTION," SHE SAID.

ON THE VALUABLE ROLE WHICH THE PRIMARY PRODUCERS PLAYED IN SATISFYING THE LOCAL DEMAND FOR FRESH FOOD, MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY IN THIS AREA WAS TO MAINTAIN A STEADY SUPPLY OF FRESH FOOD TO HONG KONG AT STABLE PRICES.

WE CONSUME

"OVER A THIRD OF THE VEGETABLES AND LIVE CHICKENS COME FROM THE LOCAL FARMS: THE FISHERY INDUSTRY SUPPLIES THREE QUARTERS OF THE FISH WE CONSUME.

THUS

PLAY A

**THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES INDUSTRIES SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN STABILISING FOOD SUPPLIES. SHE SAID.

+

/THE GOVERNMENT'S