ENG-2019 — Page 217

10

Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

To meet public demand for recreational fishing and to help mariculturists diversify their business, 64 mariculturists in 10 fish culture zones have the department's approval to operate recreational fishing businesses on licensed fish culture rafts.

The department monitors red tides and issues red tide alerts through support groups at the fish culture zones and via its website, press releases and text messages. Twelve red tides were recorded in Hong Kong waters in 2019.

Wholesale Markets

Fresh food produce is sold in wholesale markets managed by the AFCD, VMO, Fish Marketing Organisation (FMO) and private sector. In 2019, government wholesale markets, namely the Western Wholesale Food Market, Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market, Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market and North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products, handled 264,274 tonnes of vegetables, 77,227 tonnes of fruit, 68,760 tonnes of eggs, 43,224 tonnes of freshwater fish and fish products and 7,729 tonnes of poultry, with a combined value of $6.6 billion.

The VMO is governed by the Agricultural Products (Marketing) Ordinance. It provides farmers and traders with wholesale marketing services, including trading facilities, transport and pesticide residue tests, in return for a commission on the vegetables sold. Surplus income is ploughed back into farming development and scholarships for farmers' children. In 2019, the VMO handled 79,430 tonnes of vegetables valued at $651 million.

The FMO is governed by the Marine Fish (Marketing) Ordinance. It provides wholesale marketing services at its seven wholesale markets. Revenue comes from commission charged on fish sales and fees charged for the use of the market facilities. Surplus earnings are channelled back to the fisheries industry by way of low-interest loans to fishermen, outlay that improves market services and facilities, and training grants and scholarships for the fishermen and their children. In 2019, some 42,710 tonnes of marine fish valued at $3.6 billion were sold through the FMO. The organisation also develops fish products at its processing centre to promote the quality of local products.

Websites

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: www.afcd.gov.hk Food and Environmental Hygiene Department: www.fehd.gov.hk

Food and Health Bureau: www.fhb.gov.hk

Internet Memorial Service: www.memorial.gov.hk

171