Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Report

The Inspection and Quarantine Branch provides a number of quality services that promotes the sustainable and competitive operation of Hong Kong's animal and plant industries while safeguarding the health (animal, plant, human) and environment of this region. Its mandate is as follows:

‧ To provide veterinary laboratory diagnostic services for diseases in animals and drug residues in food animals;
‧ To issue livestock keeping licences and conduct farm inspections;
‧ To prevent misuse of chemicals in food animals through enforcement of legislation, and facilitate access to correct chemicals;
‧ To develop and monitor the implementation of disease prevention measures;
‧ To investigate and control outbreaks of animal diseases;
‧ To promote animal welfare and reduce stray animal nuisance;
‧ To regulate the importation of plant and plant products;
‧ To facilitate the export of live animals, animal products, plants and plant products by providing a credible sanitary certification;
‧ To assist in monitoring the trade of endangered species;
‧ To regulate pesticides; and
‧ To negotiate protocols for the importation and export of animals and plants and their products.

FARM LICENCING AND INSPECTIONS

Since the implementation of the Livestock Waste Control Scheme in 1994, all livestock farms must hold a Livestock Keeping Licence to continue keeping livestock. This requirement was introduced to control livestock waste pollution. In order to obtain a Livestock Keeping Licence, a farmer must install appropriate waste treatment facilities and must meet minimum discharge standards. Livestock Keeping Licences also contain provisions relating to the protection of public health and include conditions relating to the control and prevention of animal diseases, such as avian influenza.

All livestock farms are inspected regularly, particularly those suspected of discharging waste illegally or where waste treatment practices have caused a nuisance to surrounding communities. Action is also taken against farmers who keep livestock illegally.

New biosecurity requirements have recently been enhanced to reduce the risk of a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak from occurring on local farms. Additional measures for poultry farms include:

‧ Installation of bird-proof facilities,
‧ Requiring all new poultry farms to be at least 500 metres apart from existing poultry farms,
‧ Prohibiting the presence of transport cages from the wholesale/retail market on a farm, and
‧ Requiring local day-old chicks to be introduced from recognised hatcheries.

In April 2002, a one-year vaccination trial was also undertaken to assess the effectiveness of an inactivated vaccine for halting and preventing infection in the face of an avian influenza outbreak. Based on the satisfactory result of the vaccination trail, a universal compulsory vaccination programme against avian influenza was implemented at all local chicken farms as of 1 June 2003.

During the 2003 to 2004 period, 70 written warnings were issued to licensed farmers, two prosecutions were made for illegal keeping of livestock and three Livestock Keeping Licences were revoked or cancelled for violation of Livestock Keeping Licence conditions. From 2004 to 2005, 49 written warnings were issued to licensed farmers, two prosecutions were made for illegal keeping of livestock and five Livestock Keeping Licences were revoked or cancelled for failing to meet Livestock Keeping Licence conditions.

VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY

Two major achievements made over the past three years were the creation of various molecular diagnostic tests for animal diseases and the progressive introduction of more chemical screening tests on pre-slaughter food animals.

The real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) test, commonly known as a rapid diagnostic test, has proven useful in detecting H5N1 and other subtypes of avian influenza viruses in field situations. During the last quarter of 2002/03, the H5N1 virus outbreaks were detected at two recreation parks (Penfold Park and Kowloon Park) and five chicken farms were successfully brought under control with the aid of the RRT-PCR test as a major frontline diagnostic and monitoring tool.

The RRT-PCR test continues to serve as an early detection tool against H5 virus incursions. It was particularly valuable when the H5N1 virus outbreak was spreading across many parts of Asia in 2004. It is worth noting that since the last H5 outbreak in early 2003, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses have not been detected in local poultry and birds with the exception of a few isolated cases involving dead migratory wild birds which included one peregrine falcon (Jan 2004), two grey herons (Nov and Dec 2004) and one Chinese pond heron (Jan 2005).

In collaboration with the Department of Microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, the Department continues to monitor the genetic and antigenic changes of avian influenza viruses. This has formed an integral part of the monitoring programme for universal use of the H5N2 vaccine in our chicken industries since June 2003.

Rapid diagnostic tests for other diseases of significance in mammals and birds in Hong Kong, particularly those concerning public health, have also been progressively introduced for use in routine surveillance and diagnostic programmes. These include, for example, other subtypes of avian influenza virus, Newcastle disease, Japanese encephalitis and Psittacosis. The recognition of important viral infections in aquaculture fish in Hong Kong has also prompted the development of molecular diagnostic tests including Nervous necrosis virus, Red Seabream iridovirus, Grouper iridovirus and Koi herpesvirus.

Regarding the administration of Cap 139N regulations on food safety which have been in place since 2001, the Department continues to conduct chemical screening tests on pre-slaughter animals. New screening tests for relevant chemicals have progressively been introduced and the number of tainted pork cases have dropped significantly.

CONTROL ON PESTICIDES

Soon after the discovery of the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) in Hong Kong in early 2005, the Department conducted a review of all registered pesticides available for RIFA control and through liaison with the local pesticide trade, two new insecticides, namely spinosad and indoxacarb, were successfully registered to provide a wider and better choice of RIFA control. In addition, a technical note on control methods with special emphasis on pesticide usage was produced and posted on the Internet as reference for the pest control industry.

To combat against dengue fever and Japanese B Encephalitis, the Department continues to educate the public on the safe and proper use of pesticides for mosquito control. These include two editions of a booklet on "Pesticides Used for Outdoor Mosquito Control" and a leaflet on "Safe Use of Household Pesticides for Mosquito Control". Advisory talks have been held to educate the public and government departments on pesticide safety and mosquito control.

A survey on pest control service providers in Hong Kong was completed in August 2003 to generate useful data on trade operation and pesticide use patterns. The law drafting process for revising the Pesticides Ordinance is underway and an amendment bill will be introduced to the Legislative Council within the 2006 period.

The Rotterdam Convention, which is aimed at protecting human health and the environment from potential harm caused by the international trade of hazardous chemicals and pesticides, was put into effect on February 24, 2004. To join the global effort, the Department has restricted the domestic trade of pesticides listed under the Convention as of October 4, 2004 after consultations with the industry. We will continue to keep abreast of developments made by the Convention and will implement necessary pesticide controls accordingly.

WORK OF THE INSPECTION AND QUARANTINE BRANCH