ENG-1974 — Page 86

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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The Vegetable Marketing Organisation operates under the Agricultural Products (Marketing) Ordinance, which provides for a board to advise the Director of Market- ing (the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries). Its main objective is to provide for the transportation of locally produced vegetables from the New Territories to the wholesale market in Kowloon, the provision of marketing facilities, and the supervi- sion of sales and financial transactions in the market. Revenue is obtained from a 10 per cent commission on sales of vegetables. The organisation is a non-profit making concern and seeks to obtain maximum returns for growers by minimising their marketing costs. During the year 69,990 metric tons of vegetables valued at $83,140,834 were sold through the organisation.

The Fish Marketing Organisation operates under the Marine Fish (Marketing) Ordinance, which also provides for a board to advise the Director of Marketing. The ordinance provides for the control of the landing, wholesale marketing importa- tion and exportation of marine fish. The Fish Marketing Organisation operates seven wholesale fish markets strategically sited at points to provide convenient services to the public, the trade and the industry. Revenue is obtained from a six per cent commission on proceeds of sales of fish, and surplus earnings are ploughed back into the primary sector in the form of low-interest rate loans for productive purposes, market and marketing, improvements, and support for the 14 schools managed for the benefit of fishermen's children. In 1974 landings made into the wholesale fish markets totalled 82,632 metric tons and were sold for some $221 million. In addition, 1,533 metric tons of imported marine fish were sold through these markets.

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Facilities in the existing wholesale markets for handling the ever-increasing quantities of imported fresh vegetables, fruit, poultry, freshwater fish and crustacea are archaic and inadequate, resulting in widespread obstruction, traffic congestion and low marketing efficiency at high costs. There is an obvious need for improvement in these markets. Comprehensive surveys have therefore been conducted to obtain the data necessary for the long-term planning and establishment in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island of new markets, which will be under the direct aegis of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department!"

Because of the need for early action, it has proved necessary for the government to construct a number of temporary wholesale markets for use until permanent markets are built. A temporary wholesale market for the imported vegetable trade was opened in February 1974, to reduce distribution costs and to relieve congestion at the Kennedy Town Wholesale Market on Hong Kong Island, where previously almost all imported vegetables were received. That was followed by the opening in October of a temporary wholesale poultry market which provides improved facilities for the poultry wholesalers formerly in Yau Ma Tei (Kowloon). The land previously occupied by these traders is required by the government in connection with the future mass transit railway system. Both temporary wholesale markets are located at Hing Wah Street in the Cheung Sha Wan district, adjacent to the site for the permanent market project in Kowloon.