Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says the Mainland will immediately inform Hong Kong about any food problems and will strengthen control of freshwater fish exports.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong will resume pork imports from Sichuan, Henan and Shenzhen from tomorrow.

Dr Chow met General Administration of Quality, Inspection & Quarantine Director Li Changjiang today in Beijing to discuss food safety co-operation. He said both sides agreed on several issues.

Under control

The Mainland said the Streptococcus suis outbreak in Sichuan Province is under control, and there is no outbreak in Henan Province.

Reports from Hong Kong veterinary officers sent to Sichuan also confirmed that pig farms were operating normally. So the two sides agreed to resume pork imports from Sichuan, Henan and Shenzhen.

Dr Chow said the Ministry of Agriculture and the Hong Kong & Macau Affairs Office back the establishment of better communication channels and direct contact with agricultural authorities in Guangdong and Shenzhen.

"We will arrange special meetings with Guangdong, Shenzhen and Zhuhai Entry-Exit Inspection & Quarantine Bureau as soon as possible to discuss food safety issues," he said.

The Mainland has prohibited malachite green use in all registered fish farms supplying Hong Kong, and monitoring and inspection will be enhanced.

Strengthened controls
To strengthen the safety of freshwater fish, the two sides agreed the most effective measure is control at the source.

To ensure this:
* freshwater fish supplies to Hong Kong can only be provided by fish farms registered in the Mainland and approved by the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department;
* all freshwater fish should be accompanied with certificates to prove they are free from harmful chemical substances;
* the department can send staff to inspect Mainland fish and aquaculture farms;
*exchange on freshwater fish farming and aquaculture techniques will be strengthened; and,
* Hong Kong will study legislative amendments on requiring approval for imported aquatic products.

The Harmful Substances in Food Regulations in the Public Health & Municipal Services Ordinance will be amended to prohibit the use of malachite green in food.