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Ms. Jennifer Chow KIT-BING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as regards the reply, I would like to follow up on several points. In the first part of my question, I asked whether the pets bred by illegal farms without supervision are more prone to be infected with germs. The Department said that this falls within the jurisdiction of AFD. However, the USD is responsible for the control of illegal hawking activities. So this actually involves the work of 2 Departments. Have the 2 Departments contemplated improving coordination communication so that they can complement each other in supervision and enforcement action?
and
Secondly, the Department said that up to this moment, only 26 prosecutions have been taken out for unlicensed hawking of pets. I wonder whether that is the figure for this year or is it an accumulative figure over the years. From the reply, it seems that this problem is not yet serious but a small problem may expand into a very serious situation. Has the Department considered taking actions against this problem before the situation deteriorates?
Thirdly, as regards the fourth part of the reply, previously the Department said that the problem of illegal hawking of pets was not serious but then it was suggested that the maximum fine be raised from $2,000 to $25,000. What is the reason behind such a heavy increase? If the problem is not serious, as what the Department has said, why is it necessary to increase the fine drastically? Is the Department contradicting itself? Is the increased fine already in force and if not, when will it be enforced?
MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—Thank you Ms. CHOW for your questions. Your first question asked whether the problem of illegal breeding of pets will deteriorate and how does the Department cooperate with the AFD in dealing with the problem. I can answer you that after arresting the unlicensed pet hawkers, the Department will inform the AFD of the place of arrest and tell them that the abovesaid persons were hawking pets at that location illegally and request them to step up enforcement action at that location. This is what the Department has done. On the other hand, the AFD is also concerned about the illegal hawking of pets, that is why they suggested to increase the maximum fine to $25,000. Is it self-contradictory to increase the fine, as what Ms. CHOW has said? In fact, it is not. The hawking of pets does not only take place on streets, but also in pet shops as well. Those pets, as I have said just now, are raised in unhygienic and sub-standard establishments. Therefore, the AFD considered that it is necessary to step up prosecution and increase the fine so as to achieve deterrent effects. The Council will enhance cooperation with the AFD and step up enforcement action in this respect.
As to the 26 cases, to my understanding, there are 26 prosecutions up till now in this year.
MR. WU CHI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have a follow-up question. When illegal hawkers engaged in pet trading are arrested by USD officers, will
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Ms. Jennifer Chow KIT-BING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as regards the reply, I would like to follow up on several points. In the first part of my question, I asked whether the pets bred by illegal farms without supervision are more prone to be infected with germs. The Department said that this falls within the jurisdiction of AFD. However, the USD is responsible for the control of illegal hawking activities. So this actually involves the work of 2 Departments. Have the 2 Departments contemplated improving coordination communication so that they can complement each other in supervision and enforcement action?
and
Secondly, the Department said that up to this moment, only 26 prosecutions have been taken out for unlicensed hawking of pets. I wonder whether that is the figure for this year or is it an accumulative figure over the years. From the reply. it seems that this problem is not yet serious but a small problem may expand into a very serious situation. Has the Department considered taking actions against this problem before the situation deteriorates?
Thirdly, as regards the fourth part of the reply, previously the Department said that the problem of illegal hawking of pets was not serious but then it was suggested that the maximum fine be raised from $2,000 to $25,000. What is the reason behind such a heavy increase? If the problem is not serious, as what the Department has said, why is it necessary to increase the fine drastically? Is the Department contradicting itself? Is the increased fine already in force and if not, when will it be enforced?
MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-Thank you Ms. CHOW for your questions. Your first question asked whether the problem of illegal breeding of pets will deteriorate and how does the Department cooperate with the AFD in dealing with the problem. I can answer you that after arresting the unlicensed pet hawkers, the Department will inform the AFD of the place of arrest and tell them that the abovesaid persons were hawking pets at that location illegally and request them to step up enforcement action at that location. This is what the Department has done. On the other hand, the AFD is also concerned about the illegal hawking of pets, that is why they suggested to increase the maximum fine to $25,000. Is it self-contradictory to increase the fine, as what Ms. Cнow has said? In fact it is not. The hawking of pets does not only take place on streets, but also in pet shops as well. Those pets, as I have said just now, are raised in unhygenic and sub-standard establishments. Therefore, the AFD considered that it is necessary to step up prosecution and increase the fine so as to achieve deterrent effects. The Council will enhance cooperation with the AFD and step up enforcement action in this respect.
As to the 26 cases, to my understanding, there are 26 prosecutions up till now in this year.
MR. WU CHI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have a follow up question. When illegal hawkers engaged in pet trading are arrested by USD officers, will
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