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restaurants have made use of untreated water to keep the seafood. Recently, a local TV station has shot a host of lorries drawing water from polluted water areas. This blatant act of openly ignoring the health of citizens is due to the lack of adequate legislation to prevent or deter people from committing this illegal act.
I support Mr. To's motion and hope to take the following initiatives to prevent the incidents from recurring. First, we should set up a licensing system for the seawater suppliers to require food establishments to purchase seawater only from these licensed suppliers for keeping seafood. Secondly, the Environmental Protection Department and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries should be asked to announce the locations where unpolluted water can be drawn. The Department should also step up enforcement action and deploy more staff to carry out spot raids to restaurants and food establishments and get seawater samples for examination. If the water does not meet the required health standards, these restaurants and seawater suppliers should be warned. If repeated warnings are ignored, they should be punished, for instance, by employing the demerit point system or suspending their licences. Adjacent to piers and typhoon shelters, signboards should be erected to discourage people from taking seawater and those acting against the law would be prosecuted. Finally, the Department should also step up publicity measures to educate the public on the importance of hygienic consumption of seafood. With these words, I support the motion.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—The motion has been moved and seconded. It is now Members' turn to speak on the motion.
Mr. Chan Noi-YUE (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I am very concerned about Mr. To's motion and I am sure other Members also share the concern. I also support this motion but I personally would like to suggest that the matter be preferably discussed in the Public Health Select Committee for detailed deliberation.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Are you suggesting that the matter be referred to the Public Health Select Committee and the motion should be deferred for discussion?
MR. CHAN NOI-YUE (in Cantonese):—Yes.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Any seconder?
Mr. Chiang Sai-cheong (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I second the motion valid by Mr. Chan Noi-yue.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—Since a Member has moved a dilatory motion to defer discussion of the original motion, Members are welcome to speak on the dilatory motion.
Page 97 of 485
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Page 97 of 485
Page 97 of 485
1485
74
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL.
restaurants have made use of untreated water to keep the seafood. Recently, a local TV station has shot a host of lorries drawing water from polluted water areas. This blatant act of openly ignoring the health of citizens is due to the lack of adequate legislation to prevent or deter people from committing this illegal
ac1.
I support Mr. To's motion and hope to take the following initiatives to prevent the incidents from recurring. First, we should set up a licensing system for the seawater suppliers to require food establishments to purchase seawater only from these licensed suppliers for keeping seafood. Secondly, the Environmental Protection Department and the Department of Agriculture and Fisherics should be asked to announce the locations where unpolluted water can be drawn. The Department should also step up enforcement action and deploy more staff to carry out spot raids to restaurants and food establishments and get seawater samples for examination. If the water does not meet the required health standards, these restaurants and seawater suppliers should be warned. If repeated warnings are ignored, they should be punished, for instance, by employing the demerit point system or suspending their licences. Adjacent to piers and typhoon shelters, signboards should be erected to discourage people from taking seawater and those acting against the law would be prosecuted. Finally, the Department should also step up publicity measures to educate the public on the importance of hygienic consumption of scafood. With these words. I support the motion.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-The motion has been moved and seconded. It is now Members' turn to speak on the motion.
Mr. Chan Nol-YUE (in Cantonese); Mr. Chairman. I am very concerned about Mr. To's motion and I am sure other Members also share the concern. I also support this motion but I personally would like to suggest that the matter be preferably discussed in the Public Health Select Committee for detailed deliberation.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Are you suggesting that the matter be referred to the Public Health Select Committee and the motion should be deferred for discussion?
MR. CHAN NOI-YUE (in Cantonese):-Yes.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Any seconder?
Mr. Chiang Sai-cheong (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion valid by Mr. CHAN Noi-yue.
Chairman (in Cantonese):--Since a Member has moved a dilatory motion to defer discussion of the original motion, Members are welcome to speak on the dilatory motion.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.