ENG-2020 — Page 205

10

Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

The FEHD invited applications in September 2019 for allocation of 435 vacant hawker pitches. and issue of new licences. Out of 14,126 applications received, 12,788 applicants were found eligible. By the end of 2020, 431 hawker pitches had been selected according to priority drawn. through an open ballot and 407 hawker licences had been issued.

Slaughterhouses

The FEHD oversees the hygiene standards of licensed slaughterhouses in Sheung Shui and Tsuen Wan. Meat supplied by the slaughterhouses has to pass inspection before delivery to markets. During the year, 18,581 movement permits for imported livestock and 10,962 entry permits for local pigs were handled at the slaughterhouses, 32,208 samples of urine and tissue were taken from animals and tested for veterinary drug residues, and 756,669 pigs, 14,657 head of cattle and 1,446 goats were slaughtered.

Public Cleaning Services

The FEHD provides street cleansing services, household waste collection services and public toilets. All streets are swept one to eight times a day and are washed regularly, from daily to fortnightly or whenever the need arises, depending on the conditions of individual locations. Flyovers and high-speed roads are cleansed by mechanical sweepers.

Household waste is collected all year round. In 2020, about 78 per cent of waste collection services were outsourced and about 6,100 tonnes of household waste were collected daily by the department and its contractors.

Toilet attendant services are provided at heavily used public toilets. During the year, 51 public toilets were refurbished, of which three were at major tourist spots. To improve the air quality and hygiene of public toilets, the department has introduced several trial schemes that make use of technology, such as atomised ozonated water technology, nano bubble technology, germ-repellent toilet seat technology and microalgae greenwall technology.

The department takes enforcement action against littering, spitting and other unhygienic practices in public places. In 2020, some 46,700 fixed penalty notices were issued. To support enforcement action against fly-tippers, internet protocol (IP) cameras have been installed at illegal refuse dumping black spots, greatly improving hygiene conditions. As at end-2020, about 220 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 has launched trial schemes 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.

157