ENG-2001 — Page 188

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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intensive greenhouse production for local adaptation. In addition, two new vegetable varieties suitable for local production white bitter cucumber and garden pea were introduced.

The voluntary Accredited Farm Scheme implemented by the AFCD and the Vegetable Marketing Organisation since 1994 aims to supply clean and safe vegetables. This programme has continued to expand with an additional nine farms accredited. The organisation continued to use a 'Good Farmer' cartoon logo to promote accredited produce.

Livestock farmers are encouraged to adopt sustainable production practices that minimise the impact on the environment. To ensure food safety, a new regulation to control the use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals (including clenbuterol) in food animals and to formalise the voluntary identification system for pigs, cattle and goats destined for market was introduced. Additional training was provided to farmers on the proper use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals on farms.

Livestock farmers are also required to install and operate waste treatment systems under the Livestock Keeping Licensing Scheme to prevent pollution of watercourses. During the year, the AFCD had issued 116 licences and 38 licence applications were being processed.

In response to an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in retail markets in May, a series of additional measures has been put in place to step up the avian flu surveillance system so as to protect public health. Segregation of quails from other types of birds at all levels of production was implemented to reduce the risk of reassortment between H5 influenza viruses and viruses carried by quails.

The Fisheries Industry

Fresh fish constitute one of Hong Kong's most important primary products. Productions from capture and culture fisheries were estimated at about 173 970 tonnes and 5 130 tonnes respectively, with a total value of $1.9 billion.

The Hong Kong fishing fleet, manned by 11 560 local fishermen and 4 560 Mainland deckhands, comprises some 5 100 vessels of which 2 750 are sampans or non-mechanised boats. The predominant fishing method is trawling, which accounted for 84 per cent of the catch, or 146 140 tonnes. Other fishing methods include lining, gill netting and purse-seining. The total fish catch in 2001 amounted to 173 970 tonnes, with an estimated wholesale value of $1.7 billion. Discounting the catch landed or sold outside Hong Kong, some 59 880 tonnes of the catch were supplied for local consumption, representing 31 per cent of the seafood consumed in Hong Kong. Under licence from the AFCD, 1 320 mariculturists operate in 26 designated fish culture zones. They supplied 2 470 tonnes of live marine fish valued at $136 million. Freshwater and brackish water fish are cultured in fish ponds covering some 1 060 hectares, most of which are located in the north-western New Territories where they form part of the wetland system of conservation interest. The area devoted to fish ponds has gradually declined with the increasing urbanisation of the New Territories. Pond fish culture yielded 2 550 tonnes, or 6 per cent, of freshwater fish for local consumption.