ENG-2007 — Page 237

Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries ■ 189

and disseminated through press releases. In 2007, a total of 13 red tides were recorded in Hong Kong waters.

Wholesale Markets

Fresh food produce is sold in wholesale markets managed by the AFCD, the Vegetable Marketing Organisation, the Fish Marketing Organisation and the private sector. During the year, the Government's wholesale markets handled 279 000 tonnes of vegetables, 28 000 tonnes of poultry, 49 000 tonnes of freshwater fish and fisheries products, 103 000 tonnes of fruit and 49 000 tonnes of eggs with a combined valued of $4.8 billion.

The Western Wholesale Food Market and the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market are the two largest market complexes managed by the department. Each contains several markets. The Western Wholesale Food Market, for example, accommodates markets for freshwater fish, vegetables, fruit, poultry and eggs, enabling customers to buy a wide range of fresh foods under one roof.

The AFCD also manages two temporary wholesale markets, in the North District for fresh vegetables, and in Cheung Sha Wan, for live poultry.

The Vegetable Marketing Organisation is a statutory body set up under the Agricultural Products (Marketing) Ordinance to provide vegetable wholesale marketing facilities. It operates a vegetable wholesale market on a non-profit-making basis in Cheung Sha Wan. It charges commission on the vegetables sold, and in return provides trading facilities, transport, accounting and pesticide residue testing services to farmers and traders. Any surplus income is channelled back into the development of farming and the provision of scholarships for farmers' children. In 2007, the organisation handled 195 000 tonnes of vegetables valued at $851 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 commissions from fish sales and from fees charged for the use of the market's facilities. Surplus earnings are funnelled back to the industry by way of providing low-interest loans to fishermen, improving the markets' services and facilities and providing training grants and scholarships for the fishermen and their children. During the year, 53 000 tonnes of marine fish valued at $1.6 billion were sold through the organisation. The organisation continues to develop quality fisheries products at its processing centre to help promote and market local products.

Veterinary Services and Animal Management

The European Union recognises Hong Kong as a rabies-free territory, and since 2004 has allowed Hong Kong's non-commercial pet animals, with health certificates, to enter the European Union. As a result, the number of cats and dogs entering the European Union from Hong Kong has continued to grow.

In order to increase public awareness of the need to be alert to the dangers of rabies, an Announcement in the Public Interest was introduced for broadcast in