ENG-1995 — Page 212

HEALTH

Abattoirs

There are two abattoirs in the urban area and three slaughterhouses in the New Territories. The Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir is run by the Urban Council and the others are managed by licensed private operators. To meet long-term demand, a site has been reserved for a new slaughterhouse in Sheung Shui.

During the year, these abattoirs and slaughterhouses handled 3 029 518 pigs, 109 064 cattle and 8 827 goats, which accounted for virtually all of the local fresh meat supply. All slaughtered animals were inspected by qualified health inspectors of the municipal services departments.

The USD and RSD also maintain vigilance against illegal slaughtering activities. In 1995, health inspectors carried out 43 raids on suspected illegal slaughterhouses. Staff also carried out spot checks on meat stalls and 15 persons were prosecuted for processing unstamped carcasses for sale.

Cemeteries and Crematoria

In land-short Hong Kong, the government encourages cremation rather than burial of the dead. During the year, over 70 per cent of the territory's dead were cremated. Human remains buried in public cemeteries have to be exhumed after six years and are either cremated or re-interred in an urn cemetery.

The Urban Council operates one public funeral parlour in Kowloon which provides free funeral services for the needy and three service halls are open to the public free of charge. The council manages five public cemeteries and two public crematoria, and monitors 18 private cemeteries. Four cremators were installed at Cape Collinson Crematorium in mid-1995 to meet increasing demand. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission manages two war cemeteries.

The Regional Council manages four public crematoria and six public cemeteries in the New Territories. It also oversees nine private cemeteries and six private crematoria. Columbaria are provided at Kwai Chung, Fu Shan, Cheung Chau, Wo Hop Shek, Lamma and Peng Chau for the disposal of cremated ashes.

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