XN000022-1993-08-02 — Page 6

MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 1993

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HE STRESSED THAT AFD IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AN EFFICIENT, COURTEOUS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE IN A CLEAN, ORDERLY AND FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT.

TO HELP EFFECTIVELY MONITOR THE PERFORMANCES COVERED BY THE DEPARTMENT'S PLEDGE, IT HAS GOT THE SUPPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, COUNTRY PARKS BOARD AND ENDANGERED SPECIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO CARRY OUT THE ASSESSMENT.

THESE COMMITTEES WILL BE SERVICED BY A SERVICES COMMITTEE HEADED BY A DIRECTORATE OFFICER IN THE DEPARTMENT.

STANDARDS

THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WILL PUBLISH ANNUALLY PERFORMANCE RESULTS AGAINST TARGETS, HE ADDED.

REVISED FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS AND HEAVIER SENTENCE UNDER IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE

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THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993 AND THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (STRATEGIC COMMODITIES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1993, WHICH REVISE FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS AND IMPOSE HEAVIER SENTENCE FOR ILLEGAL TRADE IN MILITARY GOODS, WILL COME INTO EFFECT THIS FRIDAY (AUGUST 6).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WERE TWO PURPOSES OF THESE AMENDMENTS.

THEY WERE ΤΟ REMOVE OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES FACING THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE IN TO THE FORFEITURE OF SEIZED GOODS; PENALTIES FOR OFFENCES RELATED TO THE COMMODITIES.

ENFORCING PROVISIONS RELATING AND TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM IMPORT AND EXPORT OF STRATEGIC

"THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT} ORDINANCE 1993 SEEKS TO STREAMLINE EXISTING FORFEITURE PROCEDURES, THIS WILL SAVE STAFF TIME AND STORAGE SPACE WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE FAIRNESS OF THE SYSTEM TO THE PUBLIC,' THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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THE REVISED PROCEDURE IS SIMILAR TO THAT INTRODUCED BY THE RECENTLY COMMENCED DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ORDINANCE 1993.

IT PROVIDES THAT NO NOTICE OF SEIZURE WILL BE GIVEN IF THE GOODS ARE SEIZED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SUSPECTED OFFENDER, THEIR OWNER OR THE OWNER'S EMPLOYEE OR AGENT, OR AN OWNER WHO DOES NOT HAVE A PERMANENT ADDRESS IN HONG KONG.

IF A NOTICE OF SEIZURE IS REQUIRED BUT IT CANNOT BE DELIVERED TO THE OWNER, THE NOTICE WILL BE EXHIBITED AT THE PUBLIC WAITING HALL OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT'S PERMIT OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE SEIZURE FOR A PERIOD OF SEVEN DAYS.

/THE AMENDED