ENG-2013 — Page 204

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Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

Hawkers

The FEHD regulates hawking in Hong Kong. As at the end of 2013, there were 5,979 hawkers carrying out business in licensed fixed-pitch stalls and 455 itinerant hawkers.

A five-year 'Assistance Scheme for Hawkers in Fixed-pitch Hawker Areas' was launched in June to provide financial assistance to 4,300 hawkers in the 43 fixed-pitch hawker areas to relocate their stalls or reconstruct them in situ in order to reduce fire risks in hawker areas. To free up pitches for relocation of stalls posing particular fire risk, an ex-gratia payment is also offered to hawkers who voluntarily surrender their licences. Up to the end of 2013, the FEHD have received 185 applications for relocation and reconstruction grants and 204 hawkers have surrendered their licences.

Slaughterhouses

The FEHD oversees the hygiene standards of licensed slaughterhouses in Sheung Shui, Tsuen Wan and Cheung Chau. Meat supplied by the slaughterhouses has to pass inspection by health officials before delivery to markets. During 2013, 40,697 animal health certificates and 9,309 entry permits for local pigs were verified at the slaughterhouses, 54,797 samples of urine and tissue were taken from animals and tested for veterinary drug residues, and 1,669,824 pigs, 19,223 cattle and 6,093 goats were slaughtered.

The FEHD's Intelligence Unit continued to track down vendors selling chilled meat as fresh meat in 2013 and, in collaboration with the Customs and Excise Department and the Centre for Food Safety carried out 20 raids, launched 19 prosecutions and seized 0.53 tonnes of smuggled meat.

Public Cleansing Services

The FEHD provides services for street cleansing, household waste collection and public toilets. All streets are swept between one and eight times a day, depending on their condition. For main thoroughfares, flyovers and high-speed roads, mechanised cleansing is provided. In 2013, about 77 per cent of street cleansing services were outsourced. The FEHD and its contractors provide regular washing and flushing services for heavily used pavements, hawker black-spots and market areas. Additional cleansing services are provided where necessary to maintain environmental cleanliness and hygiene.

Household waste is collected all year round. In 2013, about 73 per cent of waste collection services were outsourced and about 5,340 tonnes of household waste were collected daily by the FEHD and its contractors.

In 2013, 12 public toilets and nine aqua privies were refurbished while 67 aqua privies were converted to flushing toilets in an ongoing drive to improve such facilities. Toilet attendant services are provided at heavily used public toilets.

The FEHD takes enforcement action against littering, spitting, and other unhygienic practices in public places. In 2013, the FEHD issued some 34,900 fixed penalty notices.

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