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The Bill provides for offenders relating to false declaration, false representation and misuse of the name of a protected plant variety, with a maximum penalty in cach case of a fine of $100,000.

A spokesman for the Agriculture and Fisheries Department said that he expected the Bill to benefit a number of companies and individuals who are currently breeding ornamental plants and vegetables and encourage marketing of new plant varieties in Hong Kong by overseas breeders.

The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council on April 24. 1996.

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Against Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Campaign launched

The first stage of an Against Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Campaign, focusing on educating young children the need of self-protection against sexual abuse, was launched today (Thursday).

The publicity campaign was launched by the Assistant Director of Social Welfare (Family and Child Welfare), Mrs Patricia Chu, the Assistant Director of Information Services (Publicity), Mr Harold Yau, and the Assistant Director (Agency Service) of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Miss Virginia Chan on behalf of the Public Education Sub-committee of the Working Group on Child Abuse.

Speaking at a press conference on the campaign strategy. Mr Yau said that the Against Child Abuse Campaign had been running for a number of years to increase general awareness of the problem. The new phase will focus specifically on the problem of child sexual abuse.

"We intend to conduct this campaign in three stages. The first aimed directly at children under the age of 12- the prime risk group as well as their parents and minders. The aim is to help children protect themselves.

"The message is shout 'NO', run and tell someone. Certainly, no simple task when addressing young innocent minds. We have therefore been extremely careful to keep the message simple, so as to avoid causing fear or alarm," Mr Yau said.

He said the following publicity materials would be launched in the first stage: