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Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

enforcement action against fly-tippers, internet protocol (IP) cameras have been installed at illegal refuse dumping black spots since June 2018, greatly improving hygiene conditions. As at end-2019, about 150 illegal refuse dumping black spots were installed with IP cameras. The scheme will be extended to cover over 300 locations.

To enhance public cleansing services through technology, the department launched trial schemes in 2019 using mechanised and automatic cleansing technology and equipment such as solar-powered auto-sensored aluminum refuse collection points and mini mechanised street sweepers.

Abatement of Sanitary Nuisances

The department issues nuisance notices requiring those responsible to stop sanitary nuisances such as refuse accumulation, dripping air conditioners and water seepage in private premises. In 2019, it issued 9,723 such notices and secured 111 convictions against those who failed to comply with the notices.

Pest Control

Preventing the spread of pest-borne diseases is one of the FEHD's prime tasks. It constantly reviews the methodology and strategy for controlling the spread of pests. Campaigns are carried out annually to urge people to help stop the spread of mosquitoes and rodents.

The department maintains close surveillance of the Aedes albopictus, a carrier of dengue fever and potential vector of the Zika virus, and the Culex tritaeniorhynchus, a carrier of Japanese encephalitis. Anti-mosquito teams conducted 847,088 inspections of likely mosquito breeding spots and eliminated 65,795 breeding places during the year. One local case of dengue fever was recorded.

The department deploys pest control teams to sustain mosquito prevention and control work. Resources are added to start intensive exercises across the territory before the rainy season, so as to suppress the adult mosquito population and eradicate possibly infected mosquitoes. All samples collected under a dengue vector surveillance programme in port areas and in areas with an area ovitrap index of at least 10 per cent are tested for dengue and the Zika virus.

On rodent prevention and control, the department conducts two phases of a territory-wide campaign, and two other rounds in target areas to strengthen rodent disinfestation and control at the district level. In 2019, the department filled 12,963 rat holes, collected 30,259 dead rodents, caught 23,727 live rodents and handled 11,329 complaints.

Cemeteries, Crematoria and Columbaria

The department manages six government crematoria, 10 public cemeteries, 12 gardens of remembrance and nine public columbaria, and monitors the management of 27 private cemeteries. To cope with the long-term public demand for facilities and services that handle the cremated ashes of the deceased, the government seeks to increase the supply of public niches, promote green burial and regulate private columbaria.

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