ENG-2004 — Page 248

206 Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

department. Each is an integration of several markets. The Western Wholesale Food Market, for example, accommodates markets for freshwater fish, vegetables, fruit, poultry and eggs and allows buyers to purchase a variety of fresh food produce under one roof.

Apart from these market complexes, the AFCD also manages two temporary wholesale markets, one in North District and the other in Cheung Sha Wan, for vegetables and poultry respectively.

During the year, the Government's wholesale markets handled 296 000 tonnes of vegetables, 33 000 tonnes of poultry, 31 000 tonnes of freshwater fish and fisheries products, 102 000 tonnes of fruit and 47 000 tonnes of eggs. The total value amounted to $3.9 billion.

The Vegetable Marketing Organisation is established as a non-governmental body providing vegetable wholesale marketing facilities. It operates a vegetable wholesale market at Cheung Sha Wan, set up under the Agricultural Products (Marketing) Ordinance on a non-profit-making basis. It charges commission on the vegetables sold and in return provides trading facilities, transport, accounting, and pesticides residue testing services to farmers and traders. Any surplus is ploughed back into the development of farming and the provision of scholarships for farmers' children. In 2004, the organisation handled 237 000 tonnes of vegetables valued at $784 million.

The Fish Marketing Organisation is a statutory body established under the Marine Fish (Marketing) Ordinance. It provides orderly marketing services at its seven wholesale markets. Revenue comes from charging commission on the proceeds of sales and fees for using the market facilities. Surplus earnings are channelled back into the industry through the provision of low-interest loans to fishermen, improved services and facilities in the markets and scholarships for fishermen and their children.

During the year, 56 900 tonnes of marine fish valued at $1,520 million were sold through the organisation. In the interest of protecting public health, the Fish Marketing Organisation took over the management of the unregulated live marine fish wholesaling activities at the Aberdeen Promenade. Under the management of the Organisation, the market has been operating in an orderly and hygienic manner.

Veterinary Services and Animal Management

In November 2004 the European Community recognised Hong Kong's freedom from rabies by including Hong Kong in the list of third countries from which the non-commercial movement of pet animals to Europe is permitted on the basis of health certification. Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the United Kingdom require additional tests in advance of movement, but pets, if they meet the entry requirements, can now enter those countries without long quarantine periods.