The Food and Health Bureau, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department met with live pig buyers and meat trade representatives at the Central Government Offices today (May 12). Following is the opening remarks of the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, at the media session:

     Today, we have another meeting with live pig buyers and meat trade representatives. The discussion is very frank and also productive. We have reached three consensus.

     First, we agreed to start the culling and the disinfection process as soon as possible in Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse. If everything is smooth, starting from tomorrow, the whole process will be completed in seven days. The second consensus is the Government will communicate with the Mainland's General Administration of Customs, and with the cooperation of the buyers and traders, to resume the supply of live pigs to Tsuen Wan Slaughterhouse as soon as possible. The third point is we will continue to discuss with the trade on refining the scope of culling of live pigs in slaughterhouse in case African Swine Fever is detected again.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 11) seized about two kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $1.9 million at Hong Kong International Airport. 

     A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday. During Customs clearance, two slabs of suspected cocaine were found concealed inside the false compartments of his brief case. The man was then arrested.

     The arrested man, aged 71, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 13). 

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     Police are investigating a Police open fire case in Castle Peak in the small hours of today (May 12).

     At about 2.30am, police officers located a suspicious vehicle travelling on Tuen Mun Road towards Yuen Long direction near Tsing Ying Road. After pursuit, when officers attempted to intercept the private car, the car fled towards Yuen Long direction. It then entered a car park in Yau Oi Estate.

     When officers approached the car for investigation, a 24-year-old man tried to knock down a police officer with the car. The police officer gave verbal warnings to the man inside the car but in vain, and subsequently fired three shots at him. The car then rammed into the gate of the car park and fled. It was finally intercepted on Yau Oi Road.    

     The man was arrested for dangerous driving, driving without a valid driving license, driving without third party insurance and criminal damage. He is also wanted for a possession of dangerous drugs case. The man sustained shot wound to his arm and was sent to Tuen Mun Hospital in conscious state. He is being detained for enquiries.

     A male police officer sustained hand injury and was sent to Tuen Mun Hospital in conscious state.

     Investigation by the Regional Crime Unit of New Territories North is underway. Anyone who witnessed the case or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3340.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 12) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay First Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches/the beach.

     Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, after attending a radio programme today (May 12):

Reporter: Many pork traders are about to stay outside the slaughterhouse to protect their pigs. How would you deal with this situation? Actually would it be illegal if the pork traders stop officials from culling the pigs?

Secretary for Food and Health: Yes it is illegal if they stop the people in the slaughterhouse from culling the pigs because according to our legislation, the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse is now an infected site. Therefore, we have to, first of all, cull all the 6 000 pigs inside the slaughterhouse; and secondly to clean and disinfect the site in order for the next batch of supply from the Mainland and other places to come in, so that the supply of pork will resume as soon as possible. I appeal to the traders and also the buyers to co-operate with the Government and let our operation continue. It is because this would be of the best interest not only to the traders, the buyers and the entire live pork industry, but also this would meet the expectation of our general public.

Reporter: Would you seek help from the Police if they refuse to leave?

Secretary for Food and Health: Of course we would try to seek their co-operation. We will maintain our communication with them and discussion. We have already made the decision and this decision is based on international practice and also the practice of the countries that have African Swine Fever outbreaks.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)