Press Releases
Transcript of media session by SHWF on red fire ants
Following is the transcript (English portion) of a media session by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, after inspecting a plant nursery in Lam Tsuen, Tai Po this morning (January 28):
Reporter: There has been report (of red fire ants) on Lantau. If these are red fire ants, are you still confident that you can stop these pests from establishing a permanent presence in Hong Kong?
Dr Chow: I don't think we can make an assessment yet or make any conclusion of that assessment yet. We will try to look at the situation in different areas of Hong Kong. We have a co-ordinating mechanism and a task force so that all the departments concerned will be inspecting their land and also their gardens and parks to see if there is any evidence of this new insect in Hong Kong.
Reporter: How would you advise the traders?
Dr Chow: In fact, the reason why I come here this morning is to see whether our flowers and particularly our vegetation and our agriculture are affected. So far, there is no evidence that this has been affecting our agriculture, and particularly our flowers. I believe it is quite safe to enjoy the Chinese New Year the same way as before. Although we need to take some precautions when we buy flowers from the market to ensure there is no ant in the pot. The simple way is to try to spray pesticide over it. The advice given also by the trade as well as by our experts is: do not eat those fruits at least until seven days after the pesticide has been applied. Of course, you need to wash them before you eat them. Otherwise, it is actually quite safe.
Reporter: What is the latest progress in identifying this species of ants? Are you holding talks with the Mainland?
Dr Chow: We sent specimen to the Mainland yesterday and I think we have to await their reply. We have also sent specimen to Japan and the United Kingdom for the experts.
Reporter: How long will it take?
Dr Chow: Probably it (the examination) will take a few days up to a week.
Reporter: Are you holding talks with the Mainland?
Dr Chow: Yes, we have sent our experts together with the specimen to the Mainland.
Reporter: Do you think the 300-strong task force is enough for the time being?
Dr Chow: I think the task force is mainly to inspect the places to see if there is any new ant hill in our parkland. If we discover anything that is serious, we can always mobilise more people. So far, it is okay.
Reporter: Given so many complaints by the public concerning red fire ant hills, do you think...
Dr Chow: So far, we can still handle the situation. I don't think it is something like the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) that you have to really mobilise a lot of people. We have to see first of all whether they are really the types of ants we think is the new species. The second thing is most of the ant hills have been there for some time. As long as you do not disturb it, it will not pose any danger to the public.
Reporter: Any damage to the ecology of the wetland?
Dr Chow: We don't have that assessment yet.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Friday, January 28, 2005
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