February 15, 2006

Hong Kong ready to accept chilled pork from China

Hong Kong is ready to allow imports of chilled pork from selected Chinese plants, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said on Feb 14.

The department also added that it is reviewing the proposal to ban the sale of fresh and chilled meat together in the same premises.

In a Legislative Council paper released on Feb 14, the department said suggestions have been made that the sale of fresh and chilled meat should require two separate licenses.

The department said it will liaise with the Department of Justice as the proposal requires amendments to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance.

If the proposal is enforced, there will be an adverse impact on traders who are currently licensed to sell both fresh and chilled meat.