ENG-1970 — Page 96

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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prolonged immunity against the rinderpest disease in cattle. Investigations to establish the incidence of intercurrent diseases in both pigs and poultry are being undertaken at the Veterinary Laboratory.

Legislation requires all imported dogs and cats to be quarantined for six months except those from scheduled countries (UK, Australia and New Zealand) to prevent the introduction of rabies in the Colony. Stray dogs are caught and detained for observation and, if unclaimed, destroyed in pursuance of the rabies control policy.

FORESTRY

The principal objectives of forestry are to preserve and improve the vegetative cover on the Colony's steep hillsides, in order to prevent soil erosion and to assist in the conservation of water supplies, wildlife and the aesthetic and recreational amenities of the countryside.

The main problem in implementing this policy is the frequent occurrence, principally during the dry winter months, of fires which destroy or seriously damage both natural vegetation and plantations. As a result, a high proportion of effort must be devoted to the prevention, suppression or repair of fire damage.

Forestry fire crews were called out to 373 fires. Damage to plantations was approximately 860 acres as compared with 50 acres in 1968-9.

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Work on the restoration or improvement of vegetative cover on hillslopes and barren areas caused by engineering works included the extension of forest plantations by 219 acres. A further 91 acres damaged by fire in previous years were replanted while an additional 32 acres of pine were underplanted with hardwoods with the object of producing a more fire-resistant cover. The total acreage of Crown plantations is about 13,000 acres, excluding substantial acres of village plantations and natural woodland which occur in various localities.

FISHERIES

Marine fish are one of Hong Kong's main primary products, and in 1970 landings marketed through wholesale fish markets