ENG-2005 — Page 226

188 Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

Pest Control

Prevention of vector-borne and rodent-borne diseases is one of the important public health functions of the FEHD. The department constantly reviews the methodology used and strategy adopted in pest control to enhance effectiveness and efficacy. Anti-rodent and anti-mosquito campaigns were mounted throughout Hong Kong during the year to promote community participation in controlling the pests.

The department continued its surveillance programme on Aedes albopictus, dengue fever-carrying mosquitoes, in the community and all the major port areas. A 12-month study on the distribution of Japanese encephalitis vectors completed during the year indicated that the major vector

major vector of the disease, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, breeds in many parts of the territory. The FEHD stepped up anti- mosquito action at breeding sites.

Anti-mosquito squads conducted inspections of various venues in 2005, including 21 111 inspections of construction sites and 189 079 visits to village-type houses, and a total of 52 758 mosquito breeding grounds were eliminated. The anti- mosquito efforts will continue in order to reduce the risk of dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis.

Cemeteries and Crematoria

.As land is a limited resource in Hong Kong, 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 interred 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 licensing food businesses and issuing permits for the sale of restricted foods including Chinese herb tea, milk, 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 private swimming pools, commercial bathhouses and offensive trades such as tanning hides and the processing of sharks' fins. The FEHD also provides support to the Liquor Licensing Board, which is an independent statutory body constituted for the purpose of issuing liquor licences and club liquor licences. The Chief Executive appoints board members who meet about four times a month to consider applications.

During the year, the department received and processed 2 734 applications for food business licences, 901 for restricted food permits, 791 for places of public entertainment licences, 53 for other trade licences, 774 for liquor and club liquor licences and 36 for permits for karaoke establishments in premises with a restaurant licence. In line with the Government's policy of facilitating business operations in Hong Kong, the department also started to implement measures to streamline