ENG-2004 — Page 244

202 Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

Slaughterhouses

At present, fresh meat in Hong Kong is supplied from three 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, 44 461 animal health certificates and 26 846 admission forms. for local pigs were verified at slaughterhouses. To enhance food safety and public health protection, 69 127 urine and tissue samples were collected from slaughterhouse animals for testing for veterinary drug residues. A total of 2 246 980 pigs, 47 727 cattle and 6 706 goats were slaughtered and examined in the three slaughterhouses. Meat supplied from slaughterhouses is subject to inspection by health inspectors and only meat fit for human consumption is released for sale in the market.

The Intelligence Unit of the department continued its role in cracking down on illegal slaughtering activities. Owing to the department's stringent enforcement action, most of the illegal slaughtering activities have subsided. As a result of well organised covert surveillance, five successful raids were mounted against such activities, leading to the arrest of five culprits and the seizure of about 1 200 kilograms of pork.

With regard to meat smuggling, staff of the Intelligence Unit worked jointly with the Customs and Excise Department in conducting six large-scale raids, resulting in six arrests and the seizure of 76 400 kilograms of smuggled meat.

Public Education

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

Outreaching programmes, including talks, exhibitions and various health. educational activities, are organised to disseminate messages on personal hygiene, food safety and measures that help maintain a hygienic living environment. During the year, 2 991 health talks were given to various target groups including food handlers, school children, foreign domestic helpers, the elders and new arrivals.

During the year, the FEHD also launched new publicity drives, including the broadcast of television and radio Announcements in the Public Interest, displaying advertisements at tunnel portals, bus shelters and railway stations, putting up banners and posters, and distribution of pamphlets. The key messages were to encourage the public to continue keeping Hong Kong clean and remind road users not to litter from vehicles. To encourage community involvement in keeping Hong Kong clean, the department also provided District Councils and local organisations with subsidies amounting to $1.8 million for organising cleansing activities and campaigns.