Press Releases

Guangdong and HK concern about supply of freshwater fish and marine fish

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (GDCIQ) today (December 11) met in Guangzhou. Both sides were very concerned about the suspension of supply of freshwater fish and marine fish to Hong Kong and looked forward to restore normal trading as soon as possible.

A spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said that the two places exchanged views on the trade's concern over products for export to Hong Kong. Both sides agreed to enhance communication with their trade representatives. GDCIQ would also assist to reflect the situation in Hong Kong to Mainland traders so as to remove their anxieties.

The authorities of the two places strived to resume the supply of Mainland freshwater fish to Hong Kong before the Winter Solstice.

As for marine fish, both Guangdong and Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureaux confirmed that there was no official ban on seawater products supply to Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong had strengthened inspection on live marine fish, the Mainland authorities had recently enhanced inspection on live marine fish for supply to Hong Kong accordingly.

"We expect it will take two to three days to resume the live marine fish supply to Hong Kong after Guangdong has finished their inspection and quarantine work," the spokesman said.

"Both sides will make every effort to combat fish products coming to Hong Kong from improper channels to ensure public health, and that the Hong Kong public can enjoy seafood safely."

Members of the Hong Kong delegation included the Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Eddy Chan; and Controller of the Centre for Food Safety, Dr Mak Sin-ping.



Ends/Monday, December 11, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:22

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