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

     The Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene conducted a visit to Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse today (January 13) to better understand the operation of the slaughterhouse.

     After arriving at Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse, Members received a briefing on the operation of the slaughterhouse by representatives of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse operator. They also exchanged views on various matters, including the recent incident of pigs tainted with prohibited veterinary drugs.

     Members then observed the procedures of handling live pigs in the slaughterhouse, which included unloading live pigs to lairage area for ante-mortem inspection, the pig slaughtering and inspection processes at the slaughtering hall. Members also observed a live pig auction and demonstration of the collection of urine samples from live pigs, as well as received a briefing on the procedures of urine sample testing by FEHD representatives.

     The Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene discussed issues relating to the incident of pigs tainted with prohibited veterinary drugs at its meeting on November 8, 2016. The discussion papers can be found at the following website: www.legco.gov.hk/yr16-17/english/panels/fseh/agenda/fseh20161108.htm.
 
     Members who participated in the visit included the Chairman of the Panel, Dr Helena Wong; the Deputy Chairman, Mr Lau Kwok-fan; and Panel members Mr Michael Tien, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Yiu Si-wing, Mr Chu Hoi-dick and Mr Ho Kai-ming.

Ends/Friday, January 13, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:45

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