Press Releases

Government meets stakeholders of live pig supply chain to improve slaughterhouse workflow

The Food and Health Bureau (FHB), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (August 15) met with some members of the Legislative Council and stakeholders of live pig supply chain, including importers, slaughterhouse operators, local pig farm operators, representatives of buyers and pork retailers, to exchange views on improving the workflow of slaughterhouse.

"Participants have thoroughly reviewed the whole workflow including the inspection and surveillance of live pigs, the slaughtering, and the discharge to the market. The trade has committed to support the Government's enhanced measures in order to ensure that all pigs have passed the inspections at the slaughterhouse and are fit for human consumption before being discharged to the market. With the full support of the trade, the Government is confident of performing the gatekeeping role and ensuring that slaughtering line will not admit pigs failing the inspections," the Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mr Christopher Wong, said.

"The FEHD has currently put in place stringent measures to make sure that only live pigs passing the inspections conducted by the AFCD will be slaughtered and discharged to the market. At today's meeting, the trade supported the Government that safeguarding food safety should be first and foremost and that the above measures should be strictly implemented."

The Deputy Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (Environmental Hygiene), Ms Maisie Chan, noted that the FEHD had already strengthened its internal communication and the relevant measures. Once the inspection result is available from the AFCD, the FEHD will immediately take follow-up action on any irregularities identified in the inspection and surveillance. In the past week, all inspections carried out by the AFCD were confirmed negative, showing that all the pork supplied to the market was fit for human consumption.

Mr Wong expressed gratitude to the trade's support to the Government. Through the concerted efforts of the various Government departments and the trade to underpin the FEHD's gatekeeping work, we would restore the public's confidence in consuming pork.

Ends/Monday, August 15, 2016
Issued at HKT 23:07
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