*********************************************************

The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau has set up a review board for the Scheme of Voluntary Surrender of Live Poultry Retail Licences and Tenancies.

The scheme was approved by the Finance Committee on July 2 for the voluntary surrender of fresh provision shop licences with endorsement to sell live poultry, or termination of public market poultry stall tenancies.

The review board will advise the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene on applications for a review and any other doubtful cases related to applications for ex-gratia payments, renovation loans, retraining arrangements and one-off grants submitted under the scheme. The decision made by the Director after the review shall be final.

The chairman and vice-chairman of the board are Mr Chan Yiu-chong and Mr Chan Bing-woon, who are both lawyers. The other members are drawn from different sectors of the community, including accountants, lawyers and other professionals. The board will meet as and when necessary to examine applications for reviews.

The review board is expected to operate until the end of 2005. Anyone who wishes to apply for a review should submit an application in writing to the review board's secretariat at room 4404, 44/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong. Enquiries could be made to the Special Duties Team of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at 2867 5211.

Up to September 15, the department has received a total of 173 applications for ex-gratia payments, of which 121 cases have been approved.

The following are members of the review board:

Chairman: Mr Chan Yiu-chong, Christopher;

Vice-chairman: Mr Chan Ping-woon;

Members: Mr Chan Wai-chung;

Ms Cheung Jasminia Kristine;

Mr Kan Chung-nin, Tony;

Mr Kong Tze-wing, James;

Ms Lee Kar-lok, Jacqueline;

Mr Li Man-pong;

Mrs Liu Tam Yuen-king, Amy;

Mrs Mak Wong Siu-chun, Sandra;

Miss Tsui Pui-man, Winnie;

Mr Wong Chung-mat, Benedict;

Ms Yau Siu-fee, Sylvia; and

Mr Young Tze-kong, Paul.

Ends/Friday, September 17, 2004

NNNN