ENG-2002 — Page 230

FOOD SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

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importers, distributors and retailers to ensure that the imported chickens are safe and fit for human consumption.

The department has put in place an identification and tracing system for these chilled chickens. Each chilled chicken is individually packed and should bear a label containing information such as the manufacturing date, use-by date, product name and instructions for use and storage. A hologram label is attached to the wrapper of each chilled chicken to show that the chicken has been inspected by the Mainland's authority. A specially allocated number is printed on the back of each hologram label and this identifies the plant in which the chicken was processed, and when. In addition, an edible and colourfast red stamp is put near the chicken wing area of each Mainland chilled chicken. The hologram label and the red stamp help address the concerns of consumers about the sourcing of chilled chickens and the identification of freshly slaughtered chickens in relation to chilled chickens.

Markets and Cooked Food Markets

The FEHD operates 106 public markets and 24 free-standing cooked food markets with 12 770 occupied stalls selling commodities ranging from fresh food to household items. During the year, one new market in Luen Wo Hui, in Fanling, was opened for public use.

Hawkers

The FEHD maintains control over hawking activities in Hong Kong. In 2002, 82 053 raids were carried out and 18 900 convictions secured in the courts for offences related to hawking.

In the interests of fairness, options currently available to urban itinerant and cooked food stall hawker licence holders upon the surrendering of their licence, including an ex gratia allowance and relocation, will be extended to those in the New Territories.

Slaughterhouses

At present, fresh meat in Hong Kong is supplied from three privately operated slaughterhouses: Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse, Tsuen Wan Slaughterhouse and Cheung Chau Slaughterhouse. The FEHD assumes the role of the managing authority to monitor and oversee the operation of these slaughterhouses.

During the year, to enhance food safety and public health protection, 31 648 animal health certificates were verified and 72 480 urine and tissue samples were collected from slaughterhouse animals for testing of veterinary drug residues. A total of 2 165 300 pigs, 47 766 cattle and 3 778 goats were slaughtered and examined in the three slaughterhouses. Meat supplied from slaughterhouses must be subject to inspections by health inspectors and only meat fit for human consumption is released for sale in the market.

Since being set up in October 2000, the dedicated Task Force continued to accomplish good results in cracking down on illegal slaughtering and unlicensed meat roasting activities. There were 462 raids on suspected illegal slaughterhouses, in addition to regular and surprise checks on meat stalls. As a result, eight persons were arrested and 6 312 kilograms of pork and 55 live pigs were seized.

In action against unlicensed meat roasting factories, 20 operations were mounted and seven arrests made. In all, 812 kilograms of roasted meat and 2 979 kilograms of raw food were seized.