ENG-2004 — Page 245

Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries 203

Primary Production

Agriculture and fisheries industries are relatively small sectors in Hong Kong. The Government does not give direct subsidies to the local agriculture and fisheries. industries or attempt to protect them from the free operation of market forces. Instead, the AFCD focuses on helping the industries to improve the quality of their output and enhance their productivity and competitiveness.

During the year, the total production of the industries was valued at $2,796 million. In this regard, 4 per cent of vegetables, 40 per cent of cut flowers, 22 per cent of live pigs, 41 per cent of live poultry, 5 per cent of freshwater fish and 28 per cent of seafood sold locally are products of the industries. Approximately 18 010 people were employed directly in the industries. The overall output of the local agriculture and fisheries industries has remained relatively stable over the past few

years.

Agriculture Industry

Local agriculture is directed towards the production of high-quality fresh food crops through intensive land use. Farming is largely undertaken in the New Territories and just 2 per cent of the land area is under cultivation. Overall, the most common crops cultivated are vegetables and cut flowers, and production was valued at about $296 million in 2004. Pigs and poultry are the principal animals reared for food and the value of locally produced pigs amounted to $538 million and that of poultry, including chickens and pigeons, to $287 million.

As a result of limited supply of farm land and labour, competition from imports, raised environmental standards and calls for improved farm hygiene and safe produce, the local agriculture industry has to adapt rapidly to sustain its long-term development.

The AFCD encourages crop farmers to target specific niche markets and enhance their competitiveness by cultivating safe and quality vegetables. The department has cooperated with the local organic farming organisations and the Vegetable Marketing Organisation to develop organic farming and the market for organic vegetables in Hong Kong. So far, farmers from four local farming districts have joined the Organic Farming Conversion Scheme. The AFCD also promotes the use of greenhouse technology for intensive high-value crop production. During the year, two improved vegetable varieties suitable for local production golden sweet corn and broccoli were introduced to farmers for production.

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

Under the terms and conditions of land grant, a farmer who wishes to build agricultural structures such as greenhouses, livestock sheds, hatcheries, fish ponds and store rooms, on leasehold agricultural land must apply to the Lands Department for a Letter of Approval for Agricultural Structures. To facilitate farmers to apply,