ENG-2009 — Page 241

Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries | 181

Cemeteries and Crematoria

As land is scarce in Hong Kong, the Government encourages cremation of the dead. Human remains in public cemeteries are exhumed after six years for cremation or re-interment in urn cemeteries.

To provide more alternatives for the disposal of cremated ash, the Government encourages scattering it at designated Hong Kong waters and in gardens of remembrance.

The FEHD operates six government crematoria, 11 public cemeteries and eight columbaria, and monitors the management of 28 private cemeteries.

Licensing of Food Premises and Other Trades

The FEHD is the licensing authority for food businesses. It also issues permits for the sale of restricted foods, including Chinese herb tea, milk, frozen confections, sushi and sashimi, as well as licences for places of public entertainment such as theatres, cinemas and entertainment machine centres. It also issues other trade licences such as licences for private swimming pools, commercial bathhouses and factories that tan hides and process shark fins (regarded as offensive trades). The FEHD provides logistical support to the Liquor Licensing Board, an independent statutory body that issues liquor licences (including club liquor licences). The Chief Executive appoints members of the board who meet about four times a month to consider licence applications.

During the year, the department handled 3 673 applications for food business licences, 1 040 permits for restricted foods, 1 219 licences for places of public entertainment, 68 licences for other trades, 874 liquor and club liquor licences, and 46 permits for karaoke establishments in premises with restaurant licences.

The department continues to streamline licensing procedures in line with the Government's policy of facilitating business operations in Hong Kong.

The FEHD executed a closure order against one unlicensed food premises during the year.

Food Safety and Labelling

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) within the FEHD is responsible for ensuring food sold in Hong Kong is safe for human consumption.

Under the food surveillance programme, about 64 000 samples of food were taken at import, wholesale and retail points in 2009 for chemical, microbiological and radiological testing as part of the work to ensure food safety.

A total of 28 656 vehicles carrying vegetables, and 44 459 vehicles carrying live food animals including pigs, cattle, goats and poultry were inspected at the Food Control Office and Animal Inspection Station at Man Kam To during the year. A total of 5 361 178 live food animals were examined and 46 409 blood and 55 198 urine, faecal and tissue samples were tested for disease and veterinary drug residues.