HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
609
taken any raw food in the past few years, because food which is not well cooked is prone to be carrying bacteria. We can see that the Council has not done enough in publicity and education on this aspect.
In fact, as long as any food is cooked to a certain extent, any bacteria in it will be killed. I consider that we should take the lead in making more efforts in this respect. As mentioned by a colleague just now, as far as the Council is concerned, I hope that apart from the Chairman of the Council, all the Members will take the lead in taking cooked food, not uncooked food, at home like me. This is the best safeguard. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHRISTOPHER CHUNG SHU-KUN (in Cantonese):-I consider that it is very difficult to implement the motion. Most of the seafood is caught by local fishermen from the sea but as to the number of existing fishermen making their living on sea, neither I, the representative of the fishing community, can provide a figure. There are probably 6,000 fishing boats but not all of them are operating. There might only be 4,000 to 5,000 fishing boats engaged in fishing but then they do not operate every day.
Traditionally there has been no quarantine system for the catch brought back to Hong Kong. If there had been a quarantine system, the people of Hong Kong might have had no fish supply at all. Moreover, great freedom is now enjoyed by fishermen in leaving and entering the harbour to catch fish.
In fact, as Mr. CHAN Bing-woon mentioned just now, what is important is to pay attention to one's personal food hygiene. Even though there is a quarantine system under which each fish and each tank of water are examined, bacteria may still be bred before one takes the food or before the food is sold if one neglects food hygiene. Bacteria are everywhere.
How are we going to implement the quarantine system if one is introduced? I wonder whether this motion is enforceable. Any person may go fishing in the sea any day. A family may go out to the sea on a holiday, catch a red grouper and take it home. Instead of consuming his catch, a fisherman may take it to the market for sale to a seafood restaurant because it has a value. Under such circumstances, how are we going to set up a quarantine system?
This kind of motion sounds very pleasant and a lot of people would consider it sensible and show their approval, but is it feasible? In fact we don't know much about the fish import business. All that the motion proposes is to impose restrictions on importers. Whether the fish is transported by air or sea and whether it is sold on the wholesale or retailing basis, the quarantine system would apply. However, as the seafood of most hotpot restaurants comes mainly from fishermen's catch or from fishing farms, how is the quarantine system going to be implemented?
I therefore consider that putting forth this motion without physical investigation and study is inappropriate. What is most important is that, as
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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
609
taken any raw food in the past few years, because food which is not well cooked is prone to be carrying bacteria. We can see that the Council has not done enough in publicity and education on this aspect.
In fact, as long as any food is cooked to a certain extent, any bacteria in it will be killed. I consider that we should take the lead in making more efforts in this respect. As mentioned by a colleague just now, as far as the Council is concerned, I hope that apart from the Chairman of the Council, all the Members will take the lead in taking cooked food, not uncooked food, at home like me. This is the best safeguard. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHRISTOPHER CHUNG SHU-KUN (in Cantonese):-I consider that it is very difficult to implement the motion. Most of the seafood is caught by local fishermen from the sea but as to the number of existing fishermen making their living on sea, neither I, the representative of the fishing community, can provide a figure. There are probably 6 000 fishing boats but not all of them are operating. There might only be 4 000 to 5 000 fishing boats engaged in fishing but then they do not operate every day.
Traditionally there has been no quarantine system for the catch brought back to Hong Kong. If there had been a quarantine system, the people of Hong Kong might have had no fish supply at all. Moreover, great freedom is now enjoyed by fishermen in leaving and entering the harbour to catch fish.
In fact, as Mr. CHAN Bing-woon mentioned just now, what is important is to pay attention to one's personal food hygiene. Even though there is a quarantine system under which each fish and each tank of water are examined, bacteria may still be bred before one takes the food or before the food is sold if one neglects food hygiene. Bacteria are everywhere.
How are we going to implement the quarantine system if one is introduced? I wonder whether this motion is enforceable. Any person may go fishing in the sea any day. A family may go out to the sea on a holiday, catch a red grouper and take it home. Instead of consuming his catch, a fisherman may take it to the market for sale to a seafood restaurant because it has a value. Under such circumstances, how are we going to set up a quarantine system?
This kind of motion sounds very pleasant and a lot of people would consider it sensible and show their approval, but is it feasible? In fact we don't know much about the fish import business. All that the motion proposes is to impose restrictions on importers. Whether the fish is transported by air or sea and whether it is sold on the wholesale or retailing basis, the quarantine system would apply. However, as the seafood of most hotpot restaurants comes mainly from fishermen's catch or from fishing farms, how is the quarantine system going to be implemented?
I therefore consider that putting forth this motion without physical investigation and study is inappropriate. What is most important is that, as
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