Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ14: Gov't continues to review food-related surveillance programme

Following is a question by the Hon.Fred Li Wah-ming and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment and Food, Mrs Lily Yam, in the Legislative Council meeting today (April 17):

Question

It has been reported that the European Union (EU) alleged last month that some foodstuffs (such as chilled chickens, rabbits, prawns, crabs, honey, etc.) and pet feed exported from China contained prohibited antibiotics, and banned the import of such items. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a) it has approached the authorities of EU and China for information concerning the above situation; if so, of the details;

(b) Hong Kong has imported such items over the past three years; if so, of the quantity of each type of these items; and

(c) it has conducted regular sample tests on such items for antibiotic contents over the past three years; if so, of the test results and measures taken against those confirmed to have contained antibiotics?

(a) The Government has contacted the Hong Kong Office of the European Union (EU) and the State General Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine to understand the situation. According to the information released, the EU decided to temporarily suspend the import of all Mainland China's products of animal origin intended for human consumption or for use in animal feed with effect from 30 January 2002. This decision was made in the light of an inspection report on the control of chemical residues in live animals and animal products in the Mainland compiled by the EU's Food and Veterinary Office. The main products being suspended include honey, rabbit meat, poultry and crustacean food such as shrimps and prawns. The Mainland authorities concerned considered the inspection report an inaccurate one exaggerating the seriousness of the issue. The Mainland suggested that the problem be solved through negotiation.

(b) The total quantity of the aforesaid food and animal feed imported from the Mainland in the past three years is as follows:

Honey	49,000 tonnes
Frozen chicken meat	59,000 tonnes
Frozen rabbit meat	95 tonnes
Frozen shrimps	18,600 tonnes
Frozen crabs	0.9 tonnes
Animal feed	372,570 tonnes

(c) Between 1999 and 2001, the Government took samples of the above foodstuffs from the Mainland regularly for tests. No antibiotics was detected in the samples tested. The Departments concerned also conducted regular tests on imported and local food animals to monitor and control the feeding of animals with antibiotics.

On 31 December 2001, the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Chemical Residues) Regulation and the Harmful Substances in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2001 came into effect. These two pieces of legislation regulate the use of seven prohibited chemicals (including chloramphenicol, EU's major concern in this incident) and 10 chemicals to be used with restriction (with maximum residue limit) in food, food animals and feed. The Departments concerned adjusted their inspection schemes to tie in with the enforcement of the new legislation. Between January and March this year, no antibiotics was detected in the samples the Department concerned took from the above foodstuffs imported from the Mainland for testing. As for food animals, the Departments concerned took 100 samples for testing during the same period and found prohibited antibiotics in two of the samples.

To safeguard public health, once the Government detected prohibited chemicals or chemicals with excessive concentration in food, food animal or feed, we will dispose of these commodities properly in accordance with the powers provided for in the law. These include the powers provided under section 59 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance to seize, remove and destroy food unfit for human consumption, as well as the powers given under sections 9, 10, 14 or 15 of the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Chemical Residues) Regulation to suspend the supply of, recall and destroy food animals or feed contaminated by chemicals.

Since the two pieces of legislation came into force, no antibiotics have been found in the food samples taken so far. Therefore, the Department concerned has not exercised the aforesaid power to seize, remove or dispose of any food because of contamination by prohibited or excessive antibiotics. As for food animals, the Department concerned has exercised the aforesaid power to destroy 40 live pigs suspected of containing prohibited antibiotics.

Subject to the availability of sufficient evidence, the Government will consider prosecuting any person suspected of committing offences. According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulation, any person selling food containing prohibited chemicals or chemicals with a concentration in excess of the maximum limit is liable to a maximum fine at level 5 (i.e. $50,000) and an imprisonment of 6 months. The Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Chemical Residues) Regulation stipulates that any food animal farmer or trader who keeps or has in his possession any food animal or feed containing any prohibited chemicals or chemicals in excess of the maximum residue limit is liable to a maximum fine at level six (i.e. $100,000). Regarding the cases involving the presence of prohibited antibiotics in food animals, the Department concerned is considering whether there is sufficient evidence to institute a prosecution.

In the light of the findings of risk assessments, the Departments concerned will continue to review the scope of their surveillance programmes and the number of samples to be taken for testing.

Wednesday, April 17, 2002