XN000022-1994-04-27 — Page 24

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1994

BILLS ON LIVESTOCK WASTE PASSED

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS DEVISED AN EXTENSIVE PACKAGE OF MEASURES HELP LIVESTOCK FARMERS ADJUST TO THE NEW REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE PROPOSED LICENSING SCHEME THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING AT

THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH { ANIMALS AND BIRDS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, MR EASON SAID THE OBJECTIVES OF THE LICENSING SCHEME WAS TO ENSURE THAT LIVESTOCK WASTE WAS PROPERLY DISPOSED OF AND THAT ARRANGEMENTS TO ACHIEVE THIS COULD BEGIN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

HE CALLED ON MEMBERS TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT ΤΟ YOUNG CIVIL SERVANTS WHO HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO HUMILIATION WHILE TRYING TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES FAITHFULLY.

"IN

RECENT DAYS, MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE HAD BEEN FACED WITH THE ULTIMATE INSULT AS A RESULT OF CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES FAITHFULLY AND TRYING TO FORMULATE POLICIES AND SYSTEMS WHICH WILL SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN ITS ENVIRONMENTAL ENDEAVOUR.

"I THINK IT IS TIME WE GIVE THESE PEOPLE SOME CLEAR INDICATION THAT WE DO WANT OUR ENVIRONMENT TO IMPROVE AND THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO TACKLE OUR SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM.

"THE

POLLUTION OF OUR COUNTRYSIDE AND WATERCOURSES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DUE TO OUTDATED METHODS OF DISPOSING OF LIVESTOCK WASTE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WHICH WE HAVE WRESTLED WITH FOR A LONG TIME.

"WE

NOW BELIEVE WE HAVE A FAIR AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO HAND WHICH TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE COMMUNITY'S AND FARMERS' INTERESTS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.

"WE NOW ASK FOR CO-OPERATION TO HELP US START TO END THE BLIGHT," HE SAID.

MR EASON POINTED OUT THAT THE PROPOSED SCHEME WOULD ALLOW FARMERS TO CHOOSE WHATEVER TREATMENT METHOD THEY PREFER, AS LONG AS IT COULD MEET THE REQUIRED DISCHARGE STANDARD.

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ONE OF THE METHODS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNMENT 15 'PIG-ON- LITTER" AND IT HAS BEEN OPERATED SUCCESSFULLY BY A NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL FARMS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED TECHNICAL GUIDELINES TO HELP FARMERS DECIDE WHICH WASTE SYSTEM TO USE BASING ON THEIR FARM CONDITIONS AND OPERATING PRACTICES.

AS REGARDS THE DISCHARGE STANDARD, MR EASON SAID, UNDER THE PROPOSED PHASED PROGRAMME, A FARMER COULD HAVE THREE YEARS TO ACHIEVE THE REQUIRED DISCHARGE STANDARD.

/HE SAID: