ENG-1998 — Page 184

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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the keeping of accurate stocking records and prompt reporting of deaths to facilitate the monitoring of diseases. During the year, the department conducted 161 farm visits and 4 500 tests on local poultry. Through the combined efforts of the producers and vigilant surveillance by the government, Hong Kong has remained free from H5 influenza since the disease was eradicated in December 1997.

Imported poultry must be proved free from H5 influenza infection before entering Hong Kong. Birds are inspected at points of entry and samples are collected for confirmatory testing at the veterinary laboratory. All poultry other than water birds are kept at the wholesale market at Cheung Sha Wan on importation until the veterinary laboratory has cleared them for onward distribution to retail outlets. Water birds are segregated and slaughtered at Western Wholesale Food Market to prevent cross-contamination. By the end of the year, the department had inspected and tested 1946 consignments of imported poultry, and no H5 influenza infection was reported.

After a series of clenbuterol poisoning outbreaks in humans in early 1998 related to the consumption of pig offal, the department successfully devised a testing and tracing back system with local pig producers to deter continuous use of the substance. Pigs sold from farms are tattooed with consignment-specific, five-digit numerals identifying the farm. They are tested for clenbuterol on admission to slaughterhouses. Those tested positive are detained and traced back to the farm of origin for further investigation and possible prosecution.

A similar system is also implemented for pig farms in the Mainland to prevent pigs contaminated with clenbuterol from being exported to Hong Kong. The system worked effectively. Producers and feed suppliers suspected of using and selling the substance are prosecuted.

More local vegetable farmers have also opted to join the Accredited Farm Scheme. To gain accreditation, vegetable farmers have to adopt approved horticultural practice and use pesticides in accordance with properly designed pest-control programmes. Their produce is marketed by the non-profit-making Vegetable Marketing Organisation and is distributed from farms to designated retail outlets in specially marked vegetable baskets. The organisation tests accredited produce for pesticides residues at its wholesale market as part of its quality assurance programme and a service provided to both producers and traders.

The Fishing Industry

Marine fish constitute one of Hong Kong's most important primary products. Production from marine capture and culture fisheries in 1998 was estimated at about 180 000 tonnes and 6 160 tonnes respectively, with a total value of $2.3 billion. This represented a decrease of four per cent in weight compared with 1997.

The Hong Kong fishing fleet, manned by 19 200 fishermen, comprises some 4 500 vessels of which 3 800 are mechanised. The predominant fishing method is trawling, which accounted for 72 per cent of the catch, or 128 810 tonnes. Other fishing methods include lining, gill netting and purse-seining. The total catch in 1998 was equivalent to 74 per cent of the local consumption and amounted to 180 000 tonnes, with an estimated wholesale value of $2.1 billion.

Under licence from the department, 1 495 mariculturists operate in 26 designated zones. In 1998, they supplied 1 200 tonnes of live marine fish valued at $85 million.