XN000022-1994-04-22 — Page 10

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1994

HUI MR

SAID THE REVISED SCHEME WAS WORKED OUT AFTER THE INDUSTRY HAD BEEN CONSULTED AT LENGTH IN THE PAST TWO YEARS THROUGH LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, WHICH IS WIDELY THE REPRESENTED BY ALL MAJOR LIVESTOCK FARM BODIES, AND SOME INDIVIDUAL FARMING ORGANISATIONS.

"WE HAVE ALSO CONSULTED RELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND HAVE THE GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE LEGCO'S BILLS COMMITTEE WHICH HAD MET SEVEN TIMES TO CONSIDER THE TWO RELEVANT BILLS.

M

MR HUI SAID THE REVISED PACKAGE WAS GENEROUS ENOUGH TO ASSIST

IN FARMERS

SETTING UP A TREATMENT SYSTEM THAT

SUIT WOULD

THEIR REQUIREMENT AND MEET THE DISCHARGE STANDARD.

SUCH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS NOT AVAILABLE TO OTHER INDUSTRIES WHICH ARE REQUIRED ΤΟ MEET EVEN MORE STRINGENT ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS.

HE EMPHASISED THAT THE WATER QUALITY IN HONG KONG'S

AND COASTAL WATERCOURSES

WATERS WOULD NOT PERMIT ANY FURTHER RELAXATION OF CONTROL ON LIVESTOCK WASTE NOR WOULD IT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION

TWO RELEVANT BILLS

-

DEBATE ON THE

THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS)

BILL 1993 (AMENDMENT}

COUNCIL NEXT WILL RESUME IN THE LEGISLATIVE WEDNESDAY WHEN THE BILLS ARE TABLED FOR SECOND READING.

-

SUBJECT TO THE PASSAGE OF THE BILLS, THE REVISED CONTROL SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED THIS SUMMER.

0

PETITION ON INTERIM MEASURE ON

TRANSFER TO LOCAL CONDITION OF SERVICE

IN RESPONSE TO THE PETITION STAGED BY TWO STAFF ASSOCIATIONS OF THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY), A CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH SPOKESMAN URGED MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATIONS TO REMAIN CALM.

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT UNDERSTOOD THE CONCERNS OF THE STAFF, WHICH HAD BEEN FULLY AND FAITHFULLY REFLECTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS.

"TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS AND THOSE OF STAFF IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS, WE HAVE PUT FORWARD A PACKAGE TO THE SENIOR NON- EXPATRIATE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (SNEOA), THE ASSOCIATION OF EXPATRIATE CIVIL SERVANTS AND ALSO TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PANEL ON PUBLIC SERVICE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

"UNFORTUNATELY, HOWEVER, THE SNEOA HAS REJECTED THE PALKAGE. AS A RESULT, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS EXTENDED THE PUBLIC (VARIATION OF CONDITIONS OF SERVICE) (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE.

OFFICERS

/"THIS MEANS

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