ENG-1998 — Page 473

THE ENVIRONMENT

Livestock Waste

Indiscriminate disposal of waste from the livestock industry used to be one of the main causes of pollution in streams and rivers in the New Territories, and still creates a health hazard in places. Before the livestock waste control scheme began in 1987, a pollution load from livestock waste equivalent to raw sewage from more than 1.6 million people ended up in Hong Kong's rivers and eventually the sea. Since 1988, the Waste Disposal Ordinance has banned livestock keeping in new towns and environmentally sensitive areas. Where they are allowed, livestock farms must have proper waste treatment systems. By the end of 1998, the quantity of livestock waste discharged into streams and rivers had fallen to about 32 000 tonnes a year.

Before 1997, livestock farmers wishing to continue in business could apply for a grant and a loan to help pay for pollution-control facilities. Since the start of the scheme in 1987, about $62 million has been paid out in capital grants. Farmers who chose to cease business could apply for an allowance before 1997, and about $875 million has been paid.

During 1998, the livestock waste control scheme has helped prevent a pollution load equivalent to the raw sewage of 109 000 people from being discharged into the environment. This brought the total reduction in livestock waste pollution to over 95 per cent since the inception of the control scheme.

Ozone Layer Protection A Global Responsibility

Joining a global effort, Hong Kong has fully taken up its obligations under the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. The Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance was introduced in 1989. Hong Kong has prohibited both local manufacture and import of substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons for local consumption. CFCs are commonly used as refrigerants in air conditioners and freezers, and halons in fire extinguishers. The EPD also sets a quota to control the import of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which do less damage to the ozone layer. In 1998, there were 10 prosecutions for the illegal import of ozone- depleting substances, with fines totalling $114,500.

Neighbourhood Noise

The police handle complaints on neighbourhood noise from domestic premises and public places. In 1998, the police dealt with some 4 000 complaints and 24 offenders were convicted. Legislation to prevent continuous and prolonged noise nuisance from unnecessary activation of vehicle burglar alarms was implemented in April 1997.

Import and Export of Waste

A permit control scheme on the import and export of waste under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) (Cap. 354) came into operation on September 1, 1996. The scheme is fully in line with the letter and spirit of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, which provides a framework for controlling the movement of such wastes.

The convention's main control mechanism requires notification and consent by authorities of the states of origin, destination and transit before the shipment of hazardous or non-recyclable waste can begin. The import of hazardous or non- recyclable waste into or out of Hong Kong without a permit, regardless of the

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