ENG-2010 — Page 235

Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries 189

During the year, the CFS continued its review of the regulatory framework for the control of pesticide and veterinary drug residues in food.

The regulation governing nutrition labelling became effective from July 2010 after a two-year grace period. Under it, prepackaged foods, unless exempted, have to carry nutrition labels that provide information on energy and specified nutrients. Besides nutrition labels, the regulation specifies the conditions for making nutrition claims. The new regulation assists consumers in making informed food choices, regulates misleading or deceptive labels and nutrition claims, and encourages food producers to apply sound nutrition principles in the formulation of foods.

In June 2010, the Government introduced into the Legislative Council the Food Safety Bill to enhance food traceability so that the Government can trace the source of the problem food more effectively and take prompt action when dealing with food problems. The bill requires food importers and distributors to be registered and food traders to maintain proper records of their transactions.

The CFS was designated as a 'World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Risk Analysis of Chemicals in Food' in October 2010. It is committed to contributing to international public health and food safety through research, professional exchange, capacity building and participation in emergency responses.

Measures against Avian Influenza

Hong Kong implements a series of measures to keep avian influenza at bay. These include stringent monitoring of farms and markets, vaccination of chickens. and close surveillance of imported and local birds in Hong Kong.

Under an agreement with the Mainland, all poultry (except pigeons) imported from there are required to be vaccinated against H5 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. Government veterinarians also visit registered Mainland farms regularly to ensure that the poultry they export to Hong Kong are healthy.

Keeping chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, quails and other poultry in backyards is prohibited. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. People who kept poultry as pets before the ban are required to have exemption permits to continue keeping them. Owners of racing pigeons are required to have exhibition licences.

Pet bird traders are required to submit to the health authorities official health certificates, or documents such as invoices showing the places of origin of their birds, or the names and addresses of their suppliers. Sale of birds from unknown sources is prohibited. Bird traders must also keep up-to-date records of their transactions and the number of birds in their possession.

To prevent virus from accumulating in retail outlets, the Government continues to enforce the Food Business (Amendment) Regulation 2008 which states that all poultry in public market stalls and fresh provision shops must be slaughtered by 8 pm every day and that live poultry are not allowed in those premises before 5 am the next day.