LCQ12: Rodent prevention and control
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Question:
Many residents in the districts of Kwun Tong and Wong Tai Sin have complained to me that rodent infestation is a serious problem in their districts. They have also pointed out that although the authorities have all along been implementing the Keep Clean campaign and carrying out anti-rodent campaigns at small targeted areas, the hygiene conditions in the back alleys of private buildings and nearby streets in the districts remain poor. Not only do rodents appear in markets, back alleys, streets, etc., but they also trespass on residential premises to find food. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it will step up the cleaning and anti-rodent work in the aforesaid districts, review the effectiveness of the Keep Clean and anti-rodent campaigns, and revise the strategy for rodent prevention and control; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) given that the rodent infestation rate (RIR) of a certain district is calculated with reference to the proportion of baits placed in the district bitten by rodents, but the extent to which baits are bitten by rodents may be affected by a number of factors (e.g. whether there is other food which is more appealing), whether the authorities will review and improve the calculation method of RIR so that it can reflect more accurately the real situation of rodent infestation; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) as the authorities are implementing an Internet Protocol Camera Scheme at the hygiene black spots across the territory to combat indiscriminate refuse dumping, of the latest progress of the Scheme; whether the authorities will expedite the implementation of the Scheme so as to reduce the food sources of rodents; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
The Government has always been concerned about rodent infestation in various districts. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has adopted multi-pronged strategies, including cleaning, rodent disinfestation and enforcement action, to address the situation. My reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
(1) The current integrated approach adopted by FEHD in rodent prevention and control by cleansing, poisonous baiting and trapping is based on the recommendations and technical guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). Strategic deployment of poisonous baiting and trapping operations would be adjusted in accordance with the environmental conditions of individual districts and preferences of rodents. These methodologies are in line with those adopted in major overseas and Mainland cities. In addition, FEHD keeps abreast of the latest international developments in the methodologies and materials for rodent prevention and control through various channels, such as exchanging views with experts through meetings and participating in international conferences. FEHD will also review the existing measures from time to time and actively study the feasibility of introducing various rodent prevention and control methods that are suitable for the environment and the actual conditions of Hong Kong.
FEHD has adopted multi-pronged strategies in rodent control. In addition to palliative solutions like the use of effective rodenticides and trapping devices to kill rodents, we place great emphasis on scrupulous implementation of fundamental control measures to improve environmental hygiene. Since the anti-rodent operations conducted in designated target areas last year achieved fruitful results, in addition to the two phases of the regular territory-wide anti-rodent campaign, FEHD will continue to launch two two-month anti-rodent operations in designated target areas with rodent problems in all districts in April and October this year. The elimination of the three survival conditions of rodents, namely food, harbourages and passages, supplemented by a variety of direct control measures including poisoning, trapping, destroying rat holes, etc., will sustain the effectiveness of rodent prevention and control. FEHD will continue to propagate anti-rodent messages through various channels, including its website, the Keep Clean Ambassador Ah Tak Facebook page, Announcements in the Public Interest broadcast on television and radio, as well as posters displayed in MTR stations and at bus stops etc., to encourage active participation by members of the public in rodent prevention and control work. Meanwhile, FEHD will collaborate with the District Councils (DCs) and District Offices of the Home Affairs Department to organise anti-rodent promotional activities at the district level and to appeal to the community for joint efforts against rodent infestation.
We must adopt a comprehensive approach to achieve success in anti-rodent work. Disinfestation operations by FEHD at public places alone cannot solve the problem. It is important that members of the public should work closely with FEHD in rodent control by eliminating rodents in their own premises. To this end, it is part of FEHD's anti-rodent operation to provide health education on prevention of rodent infestation to the public and to offer technical support to those in need.
To keep Hong Kong's environment clean, the provision of cleansing services by government departments is certainly important. However, without the persistent and active participation of different sectors of the community, the work of keeping Hong Kong clean cannot be carried out effectively. FEHD has already reinforced street sweeping and washing services at some rear lanes and nearby streets where hygiene conditions were relatively poor. Despite the increase of the frequency of street sweeping to as high as eight times per day and washing services to at least twice per week, we have not observed significant improvement in the hygiene conditions. For these locations, strengthening the street sweeping and cleansing services alone might not be the most effective solution, and it could not achieve the best value for public money. The co-operation of the public is necessary for solving the problem by exercising a strong sense of civic mindedness and self-discipline, and not placing rubbish at rear lanes and streets for the sake of convenience. As such, it is of paramount importance to strengthen civic education to enhance the civic awareness of the public.
(2) Since 2000, the FEHD has been making use of the rodent infestation rate (RIR) and its trend to gauge the general situation of rodent infestation in individual districts and as the basis for devising anti-rodent measures and assessing the overall efficacy of rodent prevention and disinfestation work. FEHD conducts RIR surveys in rodent-infested areas or places likely to have rodent problems, in particular areas bustling with human activities. The survey is conducted every six months. Baits are set in selected localities to gather statistics on the ratio of baits bitten by rodents for the purpose of making meaningful comparison of RIRs using the same standard. Changes to the RIR readings in individual districts over time facilitate our assessment of progress made in containing rodent infestation and the overall efficacy of our work, as well as provide an informed basis for allocation of resources.
FEHD has, when devising the RIR, made reference to practices adopted by cities around the world and the actual situation of Hong Kong. The department has, over time, tried out different methods. Having regard to a number of factors including our local climate, environmental conditions and the habits of rodents, the department has come to the conclusion that adopting the ratio of baits gnawed by rodents as the infestation rate is the most suitable method for Hong Kong. Having said that, we will continue to keep in view rodent prevention and control (including rodent infestation assessment) methods adopted by the WHO and major cities around the world.
Given the high adaptability and reproductive rate of rodents, the state of rodent infestation in individual districts often varies with changes in environmental hygiene conditions. When carrying out regular anti-rodent work, apart from making reference to the RIR, individual District Environmental Hygiene Offices of FEHD would also take into account the rodent complaint figures and views of the public and makes appropriate adjustments to the rodent prevention and control strategy.
(3) FEHD launched a six-month pilot scheme on installation of Internet Protocol (IP) cameras in late December 2016, under which IP cameras were installed at a total of six illegal refuse dumping blackspots in Central and Western, Sham Shui Po and Yuen Long districts, to step up surveillance on illegal dumping of refuse and to facilitate the planning of more effective enforcement actions.
Given the encouraging result of the pilot scheme, FEHD decided to extend the pilot scheme to all districts progressively on a trial basis for one year. FEHD has consulted the DCs on the installation of the IP cameras as well as the illegal refuse dumping blackspots for installation of these cameras. Responses from the DCs were very positive. FEHD plans to start to install IP cameras at some illegal refuse dumping blackspots in the second quarter of 2018.
Ends/Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:45
Issued at HKT 17:45
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