ENG-2010 — Page 237

Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries I 191

safety that includes advice on the handling and cooking of food, particularly pork, for human consumption.

Public Markets and Cooked Food Markets

The FEHD operates 103 public markets, including 25 free-standing cooked food markets, providing some 14 600 stalls that sell commodities ranging from fresh, cooked food to household items.

The FEHD introduced a one-off Tenancy Transfer Scheme in May 2010 to regularise the status of public market stall operators. Eligible persons may submit applications to the FEHD before July 2011.

To enhance the vibrancy of public markets, the FEHD introduced service trades, snack shops and bakeries to certain markets with vacant stalls. In addition, a pilot scheme was introduced in October 2010 to let stalls which have been vacant for eight months or more on a three-month short-term lease at concessionary rates.

Hawkers

The FEHD regulates hawking activities in Hong Kong. At the end of 2010, there were 6 649 hawkers carrying out business in licensed fixed pitch stalls and 522 itinerant hawkers.

Following a review of its hawker policy, the FEHD re-issued certain categories of hawker licences which include new Itinerant (Frozen Confectionery) Hawker licences, Fixed Pitch (Other Classes) Hawker licences for on-street vacant hawker pitches, Fixed Pitch (Bootblack) Hawker licences, Fixed Pitch (Other Classes) Hawker licences. for selling tobacco and other dry goods. With the support of the relevant District Council, the FEHD also relaxed the restrictions on the transfer of licences, number of tables and stools, etc. for 10 cooked food stalls called 'Dai Pai Tongs' in Central to help preserve them as part of Hong Kong's local heritage.

Slaughterhouses

The FEHD oversees the hygiene standards of licensed slaughterhouses in Sheung Shui, Tsuen Wan and Cheung Chau.

During the year, 43 174 animal health certificates and 8 874 entry permits for local pigs were verified at the slaughterhouses, and 53 792 samples of urine and tissue were taken from animals for the monitoring of veterinary drug residues at the three slaughterhouses. A total of 1 718 028 pigs, 28 124 cattle and 12 862 goats were slaughtered at the three facilities. Meat supplied by the slaughterhouses has to pass inspection by health officials before delivery to markets.

The FEHD's Intelligence Unit continued to track down vendors selling chilled meat as fresh meat and joined forces with the Customs and Excise Department and the Police regularly to curb meat smuggling. In 2010, they carried out a total of 36 raids, made 25 prosecutions and seized 1.6 tonnes of smuggled meat.