Press Releases

Transcript of SHWF on reorganisation plan for food safety regulatory framework

Following is the transcript (English portion) of a media session by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, after attending a campaign in promoting hand hygiene as an effective means to counter the spread of infectious disease today (October 13):

Reporter: (the plan not effective?)

Dr Chow: First of all, I think the department must be a government department because we need to take charge of all statutory functions regarding safety and legislation. Secondly, we are not just grouping some of the existing staffs together. We also need to recruit additional expertise, particularly in the area of veterinary surgery, food safety and food scientists. Also, we need to expand our surveillance mechanism, not just to local food, but also to other overseas suppliers, including Mainland.

Reporter: (Any redundancy)

Dr Chow: I don't think there would be redundancy. I think we need to recruit more staff.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)



Ends/Thursday, October 13, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:26

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