The Transport & Housing Bureau is willing to discuss with Choi Yuen Tsuen villagers affected by the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link project how they can continue to farm through the agricultural resite policy.

The bureau said today the policy allows interested villagers to continue farming collectively. Some registered villagers who were granted ex-gratia cash allowances and verified as genuine farmers are planning to live in clusters and farm together by virtue of the policy.

The Government has been following their cases closely and is prepared to provide assistance within the framework of the policy and the ex-gratia rehousing package. It will do its best to help other affected villagers in the same manner.

The policy helps genuine farmers affected by clearance to erect structures for domestic purposes in the vicinity of their farmland. Eligible people will be issued short-term waivers to erect domestic structures on the farmland.

Eligible villagers who also own farmland will be offered ex-gratia land compensation in addition to the ex-gratia cash allowance under the special ex-gratia rehousing package. The Government is assessing agricultural products and facilities with a view to offering the allowance as soon as possible to help villagers make relocation arrangements.

Flexible arrangements

Any genuine farmers or people intending to devote themselves to farming production can also apply for the loan fund from the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department.

As the affected villagers may not be able to find replacement sites in a short period of time to continue farming and submit their farming plans, the application procedures are divided into two parts. The applicant can locate a private agricultural site and submit a farming plan for approval after they are verified as a genuine farmer.

If some villagers need cash for the deposit for their new homes or replacement farming sites, those who are granted the ex-gratia cash allowance can contact the Lands Department to arrange for early collection of the money so they can sign the sale and purchase agreement immediately.

Affected villagers planning to apply for the special assistance should register with the Lands Department by February 28 for the Government's verification of their eligibility. If they intend to continue farming they should apply for agricultural resite at the same time.

Up to February 20, more than 140 Choi Yuen Tsuen households - a majority of the households - had registered with the Lands Department. Applications from about 30 households had been processed. Two had collected the ex-gratia cash allowance before the Lunar New Year holiday.