Chief Executive Donald Tsang says Hong Kong and Guangdong will set up a new working group to enhance the safety of food imported from the Mainland. The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine will supervise the group's work.

Speaking in Beijing today, Mr Tsang said the Central Government has asked Guangdong province and concerned Mainland cities to enhance the inspection and quarantine of their agricultural products during the New Year and the Lunar New Year.

Direct discussion: Chief Executive Donald Tsang meets Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai and Director of the State Environmental Protection Administration Zhou Shengxian in Beijing. Mr Tsang said Hong Kong and Guangdong will form a new working group to enhance the safety of food imported from the Mainland.

Safety measures

Mr Tsang said new measures will be implemented in the city to enhance food safety. They include:

* introducing a registration system for poultry egg importers through legislation;

* introducing a registration system for fish importers who import fish from fish farms;

* studying the feasibility of giving the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department the power to stop food wholesalers and retailers from selling problematic products; and,

* exploring new technology like Radio Frequency Indentification to enhance the food tracking system.

Immigration issues

On the influx of Mainland pregnant women, Mr Tsang said the Government will ensure that local hospitals will give priority to local women, adding that additional resources will be provided to the Hospital Authority if necessary.

The Government is studying new immigration measures to tackle the issue and the Central Government is considering Hong Kong's requests.