Author Archives: hksar gov

     Two travellers who smuggled agarwood have been sentenced to imprisonment for 16 months at the District Court today (February 8).
 
     A spokesman of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that Customs officers intercepted two inbound male passengers, aged 51 and 32, at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 17 kilograms and 24kg of agarwood from their luggage on August 16, 2018.
 
     Upon investigation by the AFCD, the two men were charged with illegal import of an endangered species. They were convicted at the court on February 4. The court handed down 24 months’ imprisonment as the starting point for sentencing today. The defendants were each sentenced to 16 months behind bars after one-third reduction as they pleaded guilty. 

     All species of Aquilaria are listed in Appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. They are regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.
 
     The penalties under the Ordinance have been drastically increased since May 1 last year. Any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years. The specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.
      
     To enquire about the control of endangered species and to report suspected irregularities, the public can call the AFCD at 1823 or visit the website www.cites.hk. 

  

     Police today (February 8) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tin Sum.      Lam Chi-wang, aged 28, went missing after he left his residence in Sha Kok Estate on F… read more

     Six red tides have been sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (February 8).
 
     One of the red tides was spotted by staff of the Environmental Protection Department on February 1 at Yim Tin Tsai Fish Culture Zone and Plover Cove including Yim Tin Tsai (East) Fish Culture Zone. The red tide has dissipated.
 
     Two of the red tides were spotted by a mariculturist today at Port Shelter including Ma Nam Wat Fish Culture Zone and Silverstrand including Silverstrand Beach, Sai Kung. These two red tides still persist.
 
     The other three red tides were spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department today at Eastern waters of Lantau Island including Silver Mine Bay Beach and Nim Shue Wan, Pui O Beach and Tong Fuk Beach, Lantau Island. These three red tides still persist.
 
     No associated death of fish has been reported so far in all six red tides.
 
     A spokesman for the working group said, “The two red tides spotted at Port Shelter and Tong Fuk Beach were formed by Akashiwo sanguinea whereas the other four red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans. Both species are non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters.”
 
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au, Lo Fu Wat, Ma Nam Wat, Kau Sai, Kai Lung Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Leung Shuen Wan and Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.
 
     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD’s proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 8) investigating a suspected outbreak of food poisoning at a premises in Kwai Chung, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food … read more

     The Department of Health (DH) today (February 8) endorsed a licensed proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) manufacturer, Wong Tai Chiu Medicine Fty (Wong Tai Chiu), to voluntarily recall from the market one batch (batch number: 0467) of a pCm, namely [Wong Tai Chiu Medicine Fty] Ser Lee Tan (registration number: HKP-07855), as the total aerobic count of that batch of pCm exceeded the microbial limit set out by the Chinese Medicines Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK).

     Upon receipt of notification from the Health Bureau of Macao, the DH initiated field investigation immediately and collected samples from Wong Tai Chiu for analysis. Upon testing by the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Centre, the result today revealed that the total aerobic count of the aforementioned batch of pCm was found to be 50 000 per gram, which was about 1.7 times the maximum limit set out by the CMCHK.

     Preliminary investigation showed that the batch of pCm concerned was manufactured by Wong Tai Chiu and is indicated for treating diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The batch concerned was entirely exported to Macao and was not distributed in Hong Kong. Wong Tai Chiu has set up a hotline (2395 5439) for public enquiries.

     “So far, no adverse report related to the use of the pCm has been received by the DH. We will closely monitor the recall. Investigation is ongoing,” a spokesman for the DH said.
 
     According to section 52 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), selling any drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser is liable to a maximum penalty of $10,000 and three months’ imprisonment. Upon completion of investigation, the DH will work with the Department of Justice on prosecution matters and will also refer the case to the CMCHK for possible disciplinary action.

     The DH urged members of the public who have purchased the above batch of pCm to stop using it immediately. Those who have taken the pCm and feel unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals. The public can submit the pCm to the Chinese Medicine Division of the DH on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.