Press Releases
Transcript of media session by SHWF on malachite green
Following is the transcript (English portion) of a media session by the
Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, at the Central Government
Offices tonight (August 21):
Reporter: What is the extent of the malachite green problem in freshwater fish?
Dr Chow: First of all, malachite green is a banned substance in the rearing of
fish in China. So, it is a banned substance associated with food fish. In this
instance, China has agreed that they would do more stringent screening and
testing of the food fish before they are imported to Hong Kong. They have not
actually suspended all the imports (to Hong Kong) as far as I know. They are
strengthening their testing and also their checking, and they are not banning
the exports at all.
Reporter: ... was the Government informed of this ...?
Dr Chow: I think we have informed them about the testing results yesterday
afternoon and that's why they have strengthened this particular procedure in the
evening.
Reporter: How long ... ?
Dr Chow: As I said earlier, we'll be sending two of our senior officials to
China to ascertain a methodology to ensure that we can have an agreeable system
of checking and testing for this particular substance in the days to come. I
hope we can have some system that we can ensure that the fish that come to Hong
Kong is free from malachite green.
Reporter: How long will the suspension last?
Dr Chow: I need to clarify that there is no suspension of supply. There is
supply. The Mainland authorities said they would ensure the fish would be
thoroughly checked and tested before they are imported to Hong Kong.
Reporter: Why did Hong Kong react so late?
Dr Chow: As I have explained previously that the communication between Hong Kong
and the Mainland have mainly been focused on what we call the high risk factor
of food safety. So, very often we know very well about the supply of meat and
also things like poultry and pigs (that will be imported) to Hong Kong.
Regarding other types of food, as Hong Kong always is a free trading port so a
lot of suppliers can get their supplies from various suppliers around the world
including the Mainland. So if anything happened in the Mainland that would not
affect Hong Kong we�� ll not be directly informed. So we need to seek
clarification when we heard any of the news and try to ensure that the same
factor is not affecting those foods sending to Hong Kong. That's the reason why
we feel there's also a need that we have to strengthen the communication with
China particularly with our adjacent provinces.
Reporter: Do you see there's a need for a special channel with the Mainland?
Dr Chow: There is already a channel but I think we need to expand the channel,
and we also need to include direct communication with the adjacent provinces.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Sunday, August 21, 2005
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