HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
255
On education, we should make Siu Mei Shop operators understand the concern of our citizens for food hygiene. Our concepts have changed nowadays and there is no need to display Siu Mei outside shops in order to attract buyers. The public is more aware of food hygiene. If Siu Mei can be stored better in a more hygienic way, the public will be more willing and assured to buy and business will improve. It is therefore necessary to take a pro-active approach in educating shop operators.
In general, I support Mr. CHAN's motion. As a responsible government department, the Urban Services Department should work out guidelines on inspections at the soonest possible as well as do much more in educating and monitoring food hygiene. By doing so, there will be more protection for our citizens. With these remarks, I support Mr. Chan's motion.
MR. DANIEL To Boon-man (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, our citizens are more and more concerned about food hygiene and they have much higher expectations than before. We still see traditional food-fare of Siu Mei and Lo Mei exposed without cover at shops everywhere. If the situation is allowed to continue and no action is taken against it, the responsibility will be ours. This situation must be improved.
Just now, a Member has mentioned the reasons and the prosecution situation. There is also this very common situation of employees handling Siu Mei on one side and handling cash on the other for convenience. We know that money is 'dirty' and by 'dirty' I mean covered with bacteria. If this traditional habit is tolerated, then I think we should study the matter from different angles in order to find solutions and reduce the chances of our citizens being infected with bacteria.
I support the idea of separate employees to handle cash and Siu Mei. It is necessary. When enforcing this rule, we must also consider the situation of small one-man shops. We must attain the requisite hygiene standards on one hand, but we must also consider the problem of asking small shops to employ other staff to handle cash. This will be easier to enforce in enterprising bodies, but it will pose a problem for one-man shops. I therefore urge the Department to find a solution to suit both situations. On the one hand, we must not demand additional employment of staff, and on the other, we need to maintain food hygiene. A full review is called for in order to come up with a feasible solution. Education and publicity should also be coordinated so as to achieve good results. Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
Mr. Tim S. Manuel Chan (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, it occurs to me more and more that motions of the Democratic Party get milder and milder. Indeed, the Democratic Party is a mild one. It is mentioned here that the Council needs to strengthen inspections. In fact, according to my experience, it is not a question of strengthening inspections, but one of formulating comprehensive guidelines so that departmental staff can proceed with
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Page 260 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
255
On education, we should make Siu Mei Shop operators understand the concern of our citizens for food hygiene. Our concepts have changed nowadays and there is no need to display Siu Mei outside shops in order to attract buyers. The public is more aware of food hygiene. If Siu Mei can be stored better in a more hygienic way, the public will be more willing and assured to buy and business will improve. It is therefore necessary to take a pro-active approach in educating shop operators.
In general, I support Mr. CHAN's motion. As a responsible government department, the Urban Services Department should work out guidelines on inspections at the soonest possible as well as do much more in educating and monitoring food hygiene. By doing so, there will be more protection for our citizens. With these remarks, I support Mr. Chan's motion.
MR. DANIEL To Boon-man (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, our citizens are more and more concerned about food hygiene and they have much higher expectations than before. We still see traditional food-fare of Siu Mei and Lo Mei exposed without cover at shops everywhere. If the situation is allowed to continue and no action is taken against it, the responsibility will be ours. This situation must be improved.
Just now, a Member has mentioned the reasons and the prosecution situation. There is also this very common situation of employees handling Siu Mei on one side and handling cash on the other for convenience. We know that money is 'dirty' and by 'dirty' I mean covered with bacteria. If this traditional habit is tolerated, then I think we should study the matter from different angles in order to find solutions and reduce the chances of our citizens being infected with bacteria.
I support the idea of separate employees to handle cash and Siu Mei. It is necessary. When enforcing this rule, we must also consider the situation of small one-man shops. We must attain the requisite hygiene standards on one hand, but we must also consider the problem of asking small shops to employ other staff to handle cash. This will be easier to enforce in enterprising bodies. but it will pose a problem for one-man shops. I therefore urge the Department to find a solution to suit both situations. On the one hand, we must not demand additional employment of staff, and on the other, we need to maintain food hygiene. A full review is called for in order to come up with a feasible solution. Education and publicity should also be coordinated so as to achieve good results. Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
Mr. Tim S. Manuel Chan (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, it occurs to me more and more that motions of the Democratic Party get milder and milder. Indeed, the Democratic Party is a mild one. It is mentioned here that the Council needs to strengthen inspections. In fact, according to my experience, it is not a question of strengthening inspections, but one of formulating comphrensive guidelines so that departmental staff can proceed with
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