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In passing, I also wish to mention the case of infection which took place last Monday. In the place where the victim bought the seafood, there are many restaurant operators and fishmongers who draw water from the typhoon shelters to keep their fish. In 1994 the Council amended the Food Business (Urban Council) By-laws, requiring that as far as the water quality of fish tanks is concerned, the colibacillus count for every 100 ml of water must not exceed 610. However, as this standard of water quality is too crude while the monitoring system and guidelines are inadequate, the problem of drawing water from seriously polluted waters persists. There is also the lack of control over seawater suppliers. It is generally known that the water quality of the typhoon shelters is the worst, with the highest levels of heavy metal, suspensions and colibacillus. They are the areas most seriously affected by the existence of bacteria. In line with the Council's present concern for the hygiene of shellfish, the above legislation on the water quality of fish tanks should be amended and a seawater supplier licensing system introduced to exercise control by stipulating the quality of the water supplied and specifying the places from which water can be drawn.
Lastly, I wish to take the opportunity to send my regards to the Director of Urban Services. When even the Head of the Department overseeing the hygiene of food premises and foodstuff suffered from food poisoning, it is indeed too much. I hope this case will not be taken lightly. We should learn our lesson and educate the public, while the Department of Urban Services should be committed to leading all the efforts in this area so as to foster public confidence. The monitoring mechanism should be strengthened, the legislation should be formulated and effective health policies should be laid down.
Hence the Democratic Party recommends that the Council set up an import quarantine and source registration system for shellfish, and devise stringent hygiene standards, including the handling and rearing arrangements at retailed shops, so as to safeguard public health.
With these remarks, I move the motion.
MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
MR. WONG KWOK-HING (in Cantonese):—In terms of spirit and direction, this is a very good motion, but its coverage is not comprehensive enough. I hope that if the motion is carried, the government departments concerned, in particular the Department of Health and the Departments of Urban and Regional Services, will be urged to step up effective implementation measures.
The motion mentions that hygiene standards and stringent treatment should be provided for. At present, some of the shellfish imported from the Mainland to Hong Kong are not controlled under any registration system. This should be improved.
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Page 615 of 654
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
605
In passing, I also wish to mention the case of infection which took place last Monday. In the place where the victim bought the seafood, there are many restaurant operators and fishmongers who draw water from the typhoon shelters to keep their fish. In 1994 the Council amended the Food Business (Urban Council) By-laws, requiring that as far as the water quality of fish tanks is concerned, the colibacillus count for every 100 ml of water must not exceed 610. However, as this standard of water quality is too crude while the monitoring system and guidelines are inadequate, the problem of drawing water from seriously polluted waters persists. There is also the lack of control over seawater suppliers. It is generally known that the water quality of the typhoon shelters is the worst, with the highest levels of heavy metal, suspensions and colibacillus. They are the areas most seriously affected by the existence of bacteria. In line with the Council's present concern for the hygiene of shellfish, the above legislation on the water quality of fish tanks should be amended and a seawater supplier licensing system introduced to exercise control by stipulating the quality of the water supplied and specifying the places from which water can be drawn.
Lastly. I wish to take the opportunity to send my regards to the Director of Urban Services. When even the Head of the Department overseeing the hygiene of food premises and foodstuff suffered from food poisoning, it is indeed too much. I hope this case will not be taken lightly. We should learn our lesson and educate the public, while the Department of Urban Services should be committed to leading all the efforts in this area so as to foster public confidence. The monitoring mechanism should be strengthened, the legislation should be formulated and effective health policies should be laid down.
Hence the Democratic Party recommends that the Council set up an import quarantine and source registration system for shellfish, and devise stringent hygiene standards, including the handling and rearing arrangements at retailed shops, so as to safeguard public health.
With these remarks, I move the motion.
MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
MR. WONG KWOK-HING (in Cantonese):—In terms of spirit and direction, this is a very good motion, but its coverage is not comprehensive enough. I hope that if the motion is carried, the government departments concerned, in particular the Department of Health and the Departments of Urban and Regional Services, will be urged to step up effective implementation measures.
The motion mentions that hygiene standards and stringent treatment should be provided for. At present, some of the shellfish imported from the Mainland to Hong Kong are not controlled under any registration system. This should be improved.
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