The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (November 2) that 40 bags (a total of 400 kilograms) of dried egg white powder from Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan were illegally imported into Hong Kong, breaching the relevant Food Safety Order and the ordinance governing the import of eggs. None of the product concerned has entered the market. The CFS is following up on the case.
 
     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS inspected a consignment of food imported from Japan and found the above-mentioned product from Ibaraki Prefecture therein was not accompanied with a radiation certificate, breaching the relevant Food Safety Order. The Centre took a sample of the product concerned for testing of the radiation level, and no radiation has been detected. In addition, the product concerned was imported without a health certificate and the written permission from the FEHD, breaching the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (Cap 132AK). The product concerned has not entered the market and has been marked and sealed by the CFS. "
 
     According to the Order, the import of all chilled or frozen game, meat and poultry, all poultry eggs and all live, chilled or frozen aquatic products from five Japanese prefectures, namely Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba and Gunma, to Hong Kong, must be accompanied by a certificate issued by the competent authority of Japan certifying that the radiation levels do not exceed the guideline levels."
 
     According to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (Cap 132AK), any person who imports game, meat, poultry or eggs should produce a health certificate issued by the place of origin or obtain prior permission in writing from the FEHD. An offender is liable on conviction to a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action, including informing the Japanese authorities concerned of the incident. Prosecution will be instituted against the importer concerned should there be sufficient evidence. Investigation is ongoing.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, today (November 2) visited Central and Western District, where he toured facilities supporting persons with disabilities and met with District Council members.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of the Central and Western District Council (C&WDC), Mr Yip Wing-shing, and the District Officer (Central and Western), Mrs Susanne Wong, he first went to Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Lok Kwan District Support Centre in Sai Ying Pun to learn more about training and care services for persons with disabilities. Comprising occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers and tutors of the centre, the multi-disciplinary team arranges skills training for persons with different levels of disabilities. Therapists design assistive tools based on their needs and household settings to facilitate their living in the community. In addition, the centre provides psychological counselling to persons with challenging behaviour or autism using sand play therapy as well as day respite services to help relieve the carers' pressure.

     Dr Law then proceeded to Parkside Residence and Parkside Integrated Service Team operated by St James' Settlement Rehabilitation Services to visit its hostel for persons with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities as well as its supported hostel and residential respite service for persons with intellectual disabilities. The operator provides social, rehabilitation and self-care training to equip persons with intellectual disabilities with necessary skills for independent daily living and self-care ability.

     The Chief Executive's 2018 Policy Address sets out initiatives to enhance community support for families of persons with disabilities, including setting up five additional District Support Centres for Persons with Disabilities and strengthening rehabilitation training and service in order to enhance their service capacity and quality, and providing speech therapy services for ageing service users and those with severe disabilities to assist them in dealing with swallowing problems.

     Noting that many persons with disabilities have expressed wishes to live at home as far as possible in the first stage (Scoping Stage) public engagement exercise of the Hong Kong Rehabilitation Programme Plan (RPP), Dr Law said the Policy Address this year has already announced that the Government would strengthen a range of community support services before the completion of the new RPP. This will enable persons with disabilities to continue to live with their families in the community and at the same time ease the stress of their family members. The Rehabilitation Advisory Committee will launch the next stage of public engagement activities by the end of 2018 to formulate recommendations of the new RPP together with stakeholders.

     After the visit, Dr Law attended a meeting with C&WDC members to elaborate on the labour and welfare policy initiatives in the Policy Address and exchange views with members on issues of concern.

              

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its committees will hold 12 open meetings during the week from November 5 to 9 in the LegCo Complex. Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     Information in the meeting schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of the LegCo and its Committees. Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat on 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo website.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 2) that Tsing Yi Southwest Swimming Pool in Kwai Tsing District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.

     The Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, visited Tuen Mun this afternoon (November 2) to know more about its law and order situation and the livelihood conditions of the local community. He also called at a community service centre in the district.
      
     Accompanied by the Acting District Officer (Tuen Mun), Miss Jenny Yip, Mr Lee first met with members of the Tuen Mun District Council to exchange views on issues relating to local law and order situation and people's livelihood.
      
     Afterwards, Mr Lee visited the Tuen Mun Integrated Services Centre of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. The Centre provides integrated and professional support services for children, young people and families in the district with a view to building a caring community and fostering a positive attitude among the younger generation.
 
      Mr Lee was briefed on the services provided by the Centre while touring the facilities. He then met with participants of the Youth Dreamer Project, who shared their aspirations for the future. He encouraged them to seize the opportunities open to them and realise their dreams.
 
     Organised by the Centre, the Youth Dreamer Project is open to young people aged between 18 and 24. Participants can make use of the Project's savings matching fund to help achieve their objectives with further studies or start-ups.