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communication and coordination so as to handle sudden incidents more effectively.
We are fortunate in that the latest discovery of E-coli O-157 H7 in Hong Kong did not spread as in the United States, Britain or Japan. The Urban Council was slow to react; a formal discussion was arranged 24 days afterwards. Shouldn't the Council perhaps search itself on this? I had a lot of complaints from members of the public querying why no emergency meeting was held to work out a tactic to deal with the problem. I think it is very important for us to conduct instant crisis management, to salvage the public from fear and to guide the public in crisis management through the spread of right messages.
Not only should the Urban Council review methods to prevent the spread of E-coli O-157 H7, but also to tackle the entire process of food hygiene monitoring. In view of Hong Kong having become an international gourmets' paradise, the large quantity of foreign food products sold on the market and the infiltration of eating habits and cultures from elsewhere, should we just react passively by only addressing the problem when it surfaces? Apart from having to deal with E-coli O-157 H7, other diseases such as anthrax, mad cow disease and salmonella must be dealt with too. On top of these, what are we doing to monitor and prevent the effects of all kinds of new food additives? The recent discovery of E-coli O-157 H7 sounded the alarm. Has the Council come to realise that we need a full review of our food hygiene monitoring system, licensing policy, law enforcement and popularisation of food hygiene education?
Well, the above three points confirm that it is necessary for this Council to join with the Urban Services Department, Department of Health and other relevant government departments to conduct a comprehensive review. It is also necessary to step up the monitoring of the policy and preventive measures for food safety. What is more, the Council should see that forward-looking health education work is improved and contingency plans are in place. I hope Members will support my motion. Thank you.
MR. DANIEL TO Boon-man (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman. I second the motion.
Mr. Chan Kwok-Leung (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, back in 1995, the Democratic Party expressed concern over the outbreak of lethal bacteria such as E-coli H7. After the recent incident, we had a meeting with the Department of Health and the Urban Services Department at which we recommended the use of high-pressure water pipes to clean carcasses and regular monthly sample testing in order to stop infection and spread of bacteria from the source. Both municipal councils reacted positively. They disclosed that a series of preventive measures were in force during the processes of food transportation, handling and slaughtering. These are positive ways to prevent the spread of E-coli H7,
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3.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
15
communication and coordination so as to handle sudden incidents more effectively.
We are fortunate in that the latest discovery of E-coli O-157 H7 in Hong Kong did not spread as in the United States, Britain or Japan. The Urban Council was slow to react; a formal discussion was arranged 24 days afterwards. Shouldn't the Council perhaps search itself on this? I had a lot of complaints from members of the public querying why no emergency meeting was held to work out a tactic to deal with the problem. I think it is very important for us to conduct instant crisis management, to salvage the public from fear and to guide the public in crisis management through the spread of right messages.
Not only should the Urban Council review methods to prevent the spread of E-coli O-157 H7, but also to tackle the entire process of food hygiene monitoring. In view of Hong Kong having become an international gourmets' paradise, the large quantity of foreign food products sold on the market and the infiltration of eating habits and cultures from elsewhere, should we just react passively by only addressing the problem when it surfaces? Apart from having to deal with E-coli O-157 H7, other diseases such as anthrax, mad cow disease and salmonella must be dealt with too.On top of these, what are we doing to monitor and prevent the effects of all kinds of new food additives? The recent discovery of E-coli O-157 H7 sounded the alarm. Has the Council come 10 realise that we need a full review of our food hygiene monitoring system, licensing policy, law enforcement and popularisation of food hygiene education?
Well, the above three points confirm that it is necessary for this Council to join with the Urban Services Department, Department of Health and other relevant government departments to conduct a comprehensive review. It is also necessary to step up the monitoring of the policy and preventive measures for food safety. What is more, the Council should see that forward looking health education work is improved and contingency plans are in place. I hope Members will support my motion. Thank you.
MR. DANIEL To Boon-man (in Cantonese):~Mr. Chairman. I second the motion.
Mr. Chan Kwok-Leung (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, back in 1995, the Democratic Party expressed concern over the outbreak of lethal bacteria such as E-coli H7. After the recent incident, we had a meeting with the Department of Health and the Urban Services Department at which we recommended the use of high pressure water pipes to clean carcasses and regular monthly sample testing in order to stop infection and spread of bacteria from the source. Both municipal councils reacted positively. They disclosed that a series of preventive measures were in force during the processes of food transportation, handling and slaughtering. These are positive ways to prevent the spread of E-coli H7,
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