*******************************************************
Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, at a press conference on public consultation on New Agricultural Policy: Sustainable Agricultural Development in Hong Kong held today (December 29):
The Government released today a public consultation document entitled "The New Agricultural Policy: Sustainable Agricultural Development in Hong Kong". We wish to seek public views on a new policy to adopt a more proactive approach towards the modernisation and sustainable development of local agriculture.
As we all know, agriculture has been diminishing in the course of time as Hong Kong moves towards a predominantly urbanised city and a service-oriented mode of economy. In recognition of the benefits of agriculture to society, the Government sees a strong case to adopt a more proactive policy towards the modernisation and sustainable development of local agriculture.
The new policy is to be underpinned by a package of new measures along the following directions.
(1) Exploring of the feasibility of establishing an Agri-Park. The Agri-Park is intended for admitting farmers engaged in crop farming and in commercial production. It will serve as a base for experimenting with new agricultural practices for commercial production, and promoting the application of advances in technology to agricultural uses. It also aims to facilitate knowledge transfer in agricultural science and agro-business management; increase local agricultural production; demonstrate how best fallow agricultural land could be rehabilitated; and accommodate eligible farmers who are displaced by Government land development projects.
Our preliminary idea is to establish an Agri-Park of about 70 to 80 hectares in order to achieve economy of scale and ensure that it is viable in achieving its aims. The Government will acquire the lots required for setting up the Agri-Park through land resumption and put it under the management of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
(2) Considering the establishment of a Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund. The Fund aims to provide financial support for promoting research and development for application of technology in agricultural production, facilitating the transfer of knowledge, enhancing manpower training, improving agricultural infrastructure and strengthening marketing and branding of local agricultural produce, as well as assisting individual farmers to modernise their farming equipment and facilities.
(3) Strengthening the existing supportive measures to farmers to help them move up the value chain, including marketing and brand building.
(4) Promoting other auxiliary activities such as leisure farming and educational activities.
We look forward to seeing active public participation in expressing their views during the three-month consultation period.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, December 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:45
NNNN