December 7, 2010

Hong Kong finalises agreement on chilled beef from mainland China

Hong Kong Health Secretary Dr York Chow met the minister of China's State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), Zhi Shuping, on December 6 to finalise arrangements for the import of chilled beef from the mainland.

Dr Chow said that in order to increase the diversity of imported food and respond to trade requests, the Food and Health Bureau began discussions with the AQSIQ on the import of chilled beef from the mainland some time ago. After concerted efforts, the two parties have agreed on requirements for the inspection and quarantine of chilled beef imports into Hong Kong, and are now finalising the implementation details.

"The import of chilled beef from the mainland is conducive to stabilising the supply of beef in Hong Kong, thus maintaining food prices at a reasonable and stable level. The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has completed its inspection of the processing plant and cattle farm," he said.

"I look forward to the arrival of the first batch of chilled beef from the mainland as soon as possible, thus providing the public with more reasonably priced non-staple foods that also meet our food hygiene and safety standards," Dr Chow added.

The Hong Kong government strives to maintain the openness and competitiveness of the local non-staple food market. To this end, the Food and Health Bureau has been actively seeking to increase food sources so as to diversify food types. These measures include promoting the consumption of chilled or frozen meat. At present, chilled pork, chilled chicken and other chilled poultry meat (including geese, duck and pigeon) is imported from the mainland into Hong Kong.