ENG-2001 — Page 242

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HEALTH

Slaughterhouses

The FEHD is responsible for the monitoring of three licensed slaughterhouses in Sheung Shui, Tsuen Wan and Cheung Chau to ensure that their operations meet the required meat and environmental hygiene standards. During the year, these slaughterhouses in total handled 2 303 587 pigs, 50 646 head of cattle and 4 107 goats. The department is also on the watch for illegal slaughtering activities and the sale of meat from unapproved sources. In 2001, it carried out 444 raids on suspected illegal slaughterhouses, and made both regular and surprise checks on meat stalls, resulting in the seizure of more than 30 tonnes of live pigs, pig carcasses and offal, and 13 prosecutions involving the possession of meat coming from unapproved

sources.

A dedicated Task Force, set up in October 2000, continued to enhance enforcement action against illegal slaughtering and unlicensed meat roasting activities. With careful planning and stepped-up surveillance and intelligence gathering, the Task Force cracked down on such premises and prevented quantities of contaminated meat from reaching the market. The operations will continue to weed out illegal slaughtering and meat roasting activities.

Public Education

The FEHD operates the Health Education Exhibition and Resource Centre in Kowloon Park, Tsim Sha Tsui, and a Communication Resource Centre at Fa Yuen Street Complex, Mong Kok, to educate the public on the importance of food safety and environmental hygiene through exhibits and library materials.

Outreaching programmes, including school talks and educational activities, are organised to disseminate messages on personal hygiene, food safety and measures in maintaining a hygienic living environment. During the year, 51 food hygiene seminars were held for the public, food handlers and market operators.