ENG-1976 — Page 86

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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Sporadic outbreaks of a mild type of foot-and-mouth disease (type O) and swine fever still occur, but these have been kept under control by vaccination. Newcastle disease in poultry has been controlled by the use of the Ranikhet and intranasal-drop vaccines. No outbreaks of Rinderpest have occured since 1950. Tissue culture vaccine is still being used in some of the young dairy cattle to give life-long protection. Investigations to establish the incidence of intercurrent disease in both pigs and poultry are undertaken at the government's veterinary laboratory.

All imported dogs and cats other than those imported from Britain, the Irish Republic, Australia and New Zealand are subject to six months' quarantine. To prevent the re-introduction of rabies, which was eradicated in 1955, stray dogs are caught and if unclaimed are destroyed under the rabies control policy. Any dog which bites a person is required to be detained for observation in government kennels.

All cattle and pigs imported for food are also quarantined on arrival in Hong Kong, and any imported for breeding purposes are subject to strict health certification and isolation procedures.

Agricultural Waste Treatment

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In 1976 the new agricultural waste treatment section of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department embarked on fresh efforts to help farmers tackle the problem of treating and disposing of agricultural wastes. In recent years the pig and poultry livestock_industries in Hong Kong have caused considerable pollution of water- courses in the New Territories. Pig manure in many cases is hosed directly from buildings into streams and poultry manure is often dumped either directly into streams or close by, from where it is subsequently washed into the streams by rainfall. These wastes have blocked irrigation channels and stream courses, which has aggravated flooding during high summer rains and has affected the flow of irrigation water to fields. In some cases water has become so polluted that it can no longer be used for irrigation purposes. Because it is difficult for the individual to solve such pollution problems by himself, attempts are being made to co-ordinate farmers' efforts.

Fishing Industry

Marine fish form one of Hong Kong's most important primary products. More than 150 fish species of commercial importance are present in the areas fished by the local fleet. The total quantity of fish and fishery products has increased from 121 500 tonnes (valued at $316 million) in 1970 to 156 900 tonnes (valued at $643 million) in 1976. This is an increase of 29 per cent by quantity and 103 per cent by value. In 1976, marine fish landings amounted to 96 300 tonnes at a wholesale value of $317 million. This represented 92 per cent of the local consumer demand.

The fishing fleet consists of 5,500 vessels, of which 93 per cent are mechanised. An estimated 44,000 fishermen work the fleet, with a large proportion of vessels being owner-operated.