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Director's Message |
This is the first time for me, as the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (DAFC), to report the work of the Department in the past year. I am very much honored to do so.
Before taking up the role of DAFC in July 2015, I have been serving in the Department for many years and witnessed the Department's endeavors to meet the changing needs of the society. From strength to strength, we strive for professional excellence and progress with the times.
As the demand for quality produce has continued to increase in recent years, the development of local agriculture has received much attention. The Government has decided to implement the New Agricultural Policy to promote the modernisation and sustainable development of the industry. To this end, the Department is pressing ahead with the timely launch of relevant measures to benefit the local agriculture.
On fisheries, we have made good progress in supporting projects which can help the sustainable development of fisheries under the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund. Four applications with a total commitment of $19.6 million have been approved.
Our work in providing technical support to crop and fish farmers, helping them to expand sales network and promoting local premium produce has been carried out smoothly in the year. For instance, the number of booths and visitors of FarmFest 2016 reached record high. Good response from farmers and consumers towards a variety of local produce such as orange-yellow flesh water melon, coloured cauliflower and oak leaf lettuce, also indicates the vast market potential of local premium agricultural produce. Besides, the Department continued to collaborate with the Fish Marketing Organization to explore new marketing channels for local fisheries products, for example running a pilot fishermen weekend bazaar.
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The drafting of the first Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Hong Kong is in full swing, which is expected to complete by the end of 2016. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the experts for their dedicated involvement and valuable opinions provided in the preparation of the Plan. Raising the public awareness of the close connection between biodiversity and our daily life is essential to conservation. With this in mind, we organised for the first time during the year the Biodiversity Festival, a three-month large scale event to promote the rich local biodiversity.
The destruction of confiscated ivory is nearly finished. To better protect wild elephants, the Government announced in the year to further prohibit the import and export of ivory with a view to phasing out the local ivory trade, and to increase the penalty for trafficking and illegal trade of endangered species. We are moving ahead with the preparation for legislative amendments.
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Country parks offer protection to our valuable natural resources and are excellent relaxing places for the public. It drew more than 13 million visitors last year. Noting the raised awareness of nature conservation among the public, the Department launched the "Take Your Litter Home" programme during the year. We will expand the programme further in view of the positive response from the community.
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On facilities, the Tin Fu Tsai North Section Mountain Bike Trail opened in the year is a black diamond route with challenging features. It is also the first bike trail in Hong Kong with distance posts which facilitate search and rescue operations. On the Geopark front, the accessibility of the Hong Kong Geopark has been improved following the operation of a "kaito" ferry service between Ma Liu Shui and Lai Chi Wo.
Regarding the marine parks, the Department is progressing with the statutory procedures for designating the Brothers Marine Park, and preparing for the designation of the proposed Southwest Lantau and Soko Island Marine Parks. The designation of these marine parks is to address the public concern over the conservation of Chinese white dolphins.
The Government's proposal to tighten the control of animal trade by amending the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Animal Traders) Regulations is supported by many animal welfare organisations and traders although some people have taken the view that animal trading should be banned completely. The legislative amendments for the proposal will be submitted to the Legislative Council in due course.
Last but not least, it is encouraging that with the concerted efforts of various departments, no avian influenza case has been detected in live poultry during the year.
Dr LEUNG Siu-fai |
