ENG-1999 — Page 475

THE ENVIRONMENT

dioxins. In late 1999, the Government invited an independent international expert to review and advise on its incineration proposals. The results of the review will be made public in 2000.

Import and Export of Waste

Controls on the import and export of waste under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) (Cap. 354) came into operation on September 1, 1996. A ban on the importation of hazardous waste from developed (mainly OECD and European Union) countries was introduced on December 28, 1998. The controls are in line with the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.

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 purpose of the import, is an offence under the WDO. Maximum penalties are a fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment for the first offence and $500,000 and two years for subsequent offences. In 1999, there were 24 convictions for illegal import or export of waste, with fines totalling $592,000.

In late 1999, a memorandum of understanding with the State Environmental Protection Agency was agreed on the control of hazardous waste shipments between the HKSAR and the Mainland.

Floating Refuse in the Harbour

The Marine Department collects floating refuse through a combined fleet of government and contract vessels. The Government has stepped up its preventive action against sources of floating refuse, set up more refuse collection points in busy areas and increased publicity and educational activities. In 1996, the Marine Department began a three-year programme to modernise its refuse collection and scavenging fleet, which was completed by March. A combined fleet comprising 13 government and 51 contract vessels is in operation to provide refuse collection services.

Despite these efforts the problems remain. The Government welcomed a private sector initiative whereby a trial of a new type of vessel started in late 1999. The results of the trial will be examined carefully before it is decided what further measures are to be taken.

Marine Dumping

Hong Kong's development projects continue to generate vast quantities of dredged mud that is unsuitable for reclamation or other uses (8.0 million cubic metres in 1999). It is dumped at sea in specified mud disposal areas under a permit system. Because of the serious impact illegal dumping has on the marine environment, the EPD maintains strict control over dumping operations under the Dumping at Sea Ordinance. These follow the requirements of the London Convention on marine dumping.

Only an operation carried out by a vessel equipped with an automatic self- monitoring device will be issued a marine dumping permit. This device tracks all

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