XN000022-1992-02-19 — Page 17

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992

FOR NULLAHS LOCATED WITHIN A DECLARED WATER CONTROL ZONE (WCZ), THE EPD IS GIVEN THE STATUTORY POWER UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE (WPCO) TO TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THE

ILLEGAL DISCHARGERS.

IN AREAS THAT THE WPCO DID NOT YET COVER, MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT RELIED ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF LEASE CONDITIONS AND THE BUILDING ORDINANCE TO TACKLE THE ILLEGAL DISCHARGES.

"EPD IS ALSO IMPLEMENTING THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE. THIS WILL REDUCE MUCH OF THE POLLUTION LOAD TO SOME OF THE NULLAHS.

AREAS,

"FULL CONTROLS ARE ALREADY IN FORCE IN THE PROHIBITION I.B. URBAN AREAS, AND THE TOLÓ HARBOUR CATCHMENT, MUI WO AND ANGLERS BEACH ENVIRONS, MR BARNES SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION DID NOT PLAN TO DECK ALL THE OPEN NULLAHS IN HONG KONG BECAUSE IT WAS A COSTLY CIVIL ENGINEERING EXERCISE WHICH WOULD ALSO INCREASE MAINTENANCE COSTS AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEM OF OFFENSIVE SMELLS.

KEEP FOOD FROM CONTAMINATION RISK, RESTAURANT OPERATORS REMINDED

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A

A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF RESTAURANT OPERATORS ADMITTED DURING RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT THAT FLUSHING WATER WAS BEING USED TO KEEP SEA FISHES.

HOWEVER, THIS HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED OR OBSERVED DURING RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS.

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IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI- SHING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS NO LEGISLATION SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITING THE USE OF FLUSHING WATER TO KEEP LIVE SEA FISH IN RESTAURANTS.

"HOWEVER, PROVISION DOES EXIST IN BOTH THE FOOD BUSINESS (URBAN COUNCIL) BY-LAWS AND THE FOOD BUSINESS (REGIONAL COUNCIL) BY-LAWS FOR PERSONS ENGAGED IN ANY FOOD BUSINESS, INCLUDING RESTAURANTS, TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO PROTECT THE FOOD FROM RISK OF CONTAMINATION.

"THE OPERATORS MAY BE PROSECUTED IF THE FOOD THEY SERVE IS FOUND TO BE CONTAMINATED," MRS WONG SAID.

SHE NOTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORT OF FOOD POISONING RELATING TO THE CONSUMPTION OF FISHES KEPT IN FLUSHING OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF WATER.

RISK,'

"THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF THE CONSUMERS' HEALTH BEING PUT AT SHE SAID.

/"FURTHERMORE, THE