ENG-2002 — Page 228

FOOD SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

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comply with the notice within a specified period. During the year, the department issued 2 222 statutory notices and initiated three prosecutions.

Pest Control

Prevention of vector-borne and rodent-borne diseases is an important public health function carried out by the FEHD. The department constantly reviews the methodology used in pest control to enhance effectiveness and efficacy. Anti-rodent and anti-mosquito campaigns were mounted throughout Hong Kong during the year. In September, officials confirmed a local dengue fever case which occurred on Ma Wan Island. Control measures were immediately strengthened to contain the problem. Altogether, 9 100 construction sites, 8 486 old tenement buildings and 49 978 village- type houses were visited by anti-mosquito squads, and 41 661 mosquito breeding grounds were eliminated. The anti-mosquito efforts will continue in order to reduce the risk of dengue fever.

Cemeteries and Crematoria

As land is a limited resource in the HKSAR, it is the Government's policy to encourage cremation of the dead. Normally, human remains buried in public cemeteries have to be exhumed after six years and be either cremated or reinterred in an urn cemetery.

The FEHD operates six government crematoria and 11 public cemeteries, and oversees the management of 28 private cemeteries.

Food and Other Trade Licensing

The FEHD is the authority responsible for the licensing of food businesses and the issuing of permits for the sale of restricted foods including frozen confections, sushi and sashimi. It also issues licences to places of public entertainment such as theatres, cinemas and entertainment machine centres. In addition, it issues trade licences for commercial bathhouses and offensive trades as well as for private swimming pools. The FEHD also provides support to the Liquor Licensing Board, which is an independent statutory body constituted for the purpose of issuing liquor licences. Board members are appointed by the Chief Executive. The board meets about four times a month to consider applications.

In 2002, the department received and processed 2 502 applications for food business licences, 1 116 for restricted food permits, 1 154 for places of public entertainment licences, 74 for other trade licences and 655 for liquor and club liquor licences.

To assist restaurant operators in applying for outside seating accommodation, the department promulgated guidelines for applications in March.

Food Safety and Labelling

The FEHD is tasked to ensure that food available for human consumption is safe and properly labelled. It also aims to safeguard public health through testing and control of live food animals.

Under the food surveillance programme, 55 515 samples were taken in 2002 for chemical, microbiological and/or radiological testing to ensure that food was fit for human consumption.