HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
397
Our citizens lack the ability and knowledge to tell poisonous vegetables from clean ones. Indeed, one cannot tell from the outside easily and there is no instant testing device available.
I would like to say a few words about accredited farms as mentioned in the document. The intention of this concept of accredited farms is honourable, but some dishonest traders mix products of unaccredited farms with the quality vegetables to get by. It is not so much claiming one thing and supplying the other, but rather mixing the wholesome with the unwholesome. In this way, citizens are victimized easily and there are definite difficulties in taking prosecutions.
I think government should face the above four areas squarely,
Both Mr. CHAN and Mr. WONG offered solutions just now. I do not intend to offer other solutions today. I would like to urge the authorities to continue with sampling and checking to see where problems lie. We should not just do so at Mankamto. It is work that calls for the joint efforts of departments and possibly cooperation with Shenzhen merchandise inspection bureau.
On the other hand, I feel we should publicize the idea of harmful farms through better education and publicity. I shall today speak on the concept of accredited farms and how it can be put to good use. We are urging citizens to buy and eat quality vegetables. In fact, the Municipal Services Ordinance stipulate that traders found to sell unclean or harmful food commit an offence against the law. If vegetables with the label of accredited farms are found to be poisonous, it is an act of fraud and one should be punished with even stiffer penalties. The Department should join hands with the Agriculture and Fisheries Department to check the situation so that dishonest traders will stand to lose.
I also hope that the Council or the Agriculture and Fisheries Department can thoroughly check the contents of baskets with accredited farm labels to ensure they are genuine quality vegetables. If vegetables of unchecked quality are mixed with quality vegetables, it is commercially dishonest and it undermines public faith in quality produce. The only guarantee lies in strict implementation of the quality vegetables concept by relevant departments. With cooperation of the Department of Health, Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the two municipal councils, our citizens will at least have the assurance of quality vegetables. If this can be done, citizens will have value for the money they pay to buy good quality food.
I hope the Select Committee will follow up on this. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I support the motion moved by Mr. Wong.
MR. FRANCIS TANG CHI-HO (in Cantonese):-The Democratic Party is concerned about the recent outbreak of food poisoning cases caused by
Page 401 of 654
Page 401 of 654
Page 401 of 654
3.
4.
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
397
Our citizens lack the ability and knowledge to tell poisonous vegetables from clean ones. Indeed, one cannot tell from the outside easily and there is no instant testing device available.
I would like to say a few words about accredited farms as mentioned in the document. The intention of this concept of accredited farms is honourable, but some dishonest traders mix products of unaccredited farms with the quality vegetables to get by. It is not so much claiming one thing and supplying the other, but rather mixing the wholesome with the unwholesome. In this way, citizens are victimized easily and there are definite difficulties in taking prosecutions.
I think government should face the above four areas squarely,
Both Mr. CHAN and Mr. WONG offered solutions just now. I do not intend to offer other solutions today. I would like to urge the authorities to continue with sampling and checking to see where problems lie. We should not just do so at Mankamto. It is work that calls for the joint efforts of departments and possibly cooperation with Shenzhen merchandise inspection bureau.
On the other hand, I feel we should publicize the idea of harmful farms through better education and publicity. I shall today speak on the concept of accredited farms and how it can be put to good use. We are urging citizens to buy and eat quality vegetables. In fact, the Municipal Services Ordinance stipulate that traders found to sell unclcan or harmful food commit an offence against the law. If vegetables with the label of accredited farms are found to be poisonous, it is an act of fraud and one should be punished with even stiffer penalties. The Department should join hands with the Agriculture and Fisheries Department to check the situation so that dishonest traders will stand to lose.
I also hope that the Council or the Agriculture and Fisheries Department can thoroughly check the contents of baskets with accredited farm labels to ensure they are genuine quality vegetables. If vegetables of unchecked quality are mixed with quality vegetables, it is commercially dishonest and it undermines public faith in quality produce. The only guarantee lies in strict implementation of the quality vegetables concept by relevant departments. With cooperation of the Department of Health, Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the two municipal councils, our citizens will at least have the assurance of quality vegetables. If this can be done, citizens will have value for the money they pay to buy good quality food.
I hope the Select Committee will follow up on this. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I support the motion moved by Mr. Wong.
MR. FRANCIS TANG CHI-HO (in Cantonese):-The Democratic Party is concerned about the recent outbreak of food poisoning cases caused by
Page 401 of 654
Page 401 of 654
Page 401 of 654
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.