ENG-1987 — Page 353

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THE ENVIRONMENT

(Amendment) Ordinance 1987, enacted in October. Under this legislation, livestock keeping will be prohibited in the Urban Council area and the major parts of the new towns, from June 24, 1988. Control will be applied progressively to the storage and disposal of livestock waste in other areas. In the first phase, also beginning in June 24, 1988, the areas under control will include:

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Tolo Harbour and Tolo Channel area

Tiu Yue Wan (Angler's Beach) and environs

Mui Wo environs

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River Indus area

Upper Sham Chun (Shenzhen) River area

Tsuen Wan environs, Liu To Village and environs and Tai Lam Chung area Tuen Mun environs

The controls will be extended to the remainder of the territory in a further two phases. The details of the control legislation will be contained in subsidiary regulations, currently being discussed between the Administration and an OMELCO Ad-hoc Group.

In order to advise farmers on safe and cost-effective techniques for livestock waste disposal, the EPD has developed a demonstration facility. Four methods of handling waste on livestock farms are demonstrated, and farmers are encouraged to visit the facility to learn how to put these pollution free procedures into practice on their own farms.

Air Pollution

During the year there were significant advances in the control of air pollution in Hong Kong. Following declaration of the Harbour and Tsuen Wan-Kwai Chung Air Control Zones in December 1986, air quality objectives were established for these zones in January 1987. In June, after extensive consultations, the Air Pollution Control (Specified Processes) Regulations were made under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance. These regulations allow the authority to control certain industrial processes, called 'specified processes', which may cause serious air pollution. Anyone wishing to start operating one of the specified processes will need a licence from EPD to do so. The licence will specify how noxious or offensive emissions must be controlled and made harmless and inoffensive before their discharge into the atmosphere. Existing operators will generally be granted exemption from this licensing requirement for their existing operations, if they register their premises.

The Air Pollution Control Ordinance also empowers the Director of Environmental Protection to issue notices to require the abatement of air pollutant nuisances, modification or repair of chimneys or plant, prohibition of the use of unsuitable fuels, or provision of information. During the year, EPD served 91 notices and initiated 23 prosecutions for non-compliance.

The Air Pollution Control (Smoke) Regulations provide for the restriction of dark smoke emission from stationary combustion sources. Some 76 prosecutions were lodged against recalcitrant offenders. Also under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance the Fur- naces, Ovens and Chimneys (Installation and Alteration) Regulations provide for the submission of plans and specifications for the installation or alteration of fuel-using equipment to ensure appropriate design. EPD processed some 561 sets of plans and specifications, and prosecuted 55 offenders in connection with unauthorised work.

In the course of carrying out their enforcement duties, staff of the EPD made 4 639 visits to industrial and commercial establishments and government plants to give advice on air pollution control matters. The department investigated some 1 517 air pollution com-