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    Following is a question by the Hon Choy So-yuk and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (May 25):

Question:

    It has been reported that the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) recently invited tenders for the operation of the livestock waste composting plants in Sha Ling and Ngau Tam Mei and the provision of livestock waste collection services. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)  whether, prior to the tendering exercise, it had compared the composting techniques adopted by the above composting plants to the new techniques available in the market before deciding on the techniques to be used in the composting plants; if it had, of the new techniques involved and details of the comparison results, including the time and land area required for making compost, the market value of compost and whether other emissions will be produced during the composting process; if it had not, the reasons for that;

(b)  given that EPD has indicated that it will study setting compost standards so that composted waste can be put to use in more ways, of the details and timetable of the study;

(c)  given that EDP has indicated that it will require the new operator of the composting plants to increase their handling capacity, of the reasons for not specifying such requirement in the tender document;

(d)  of the authorities' estimated amount of livestock waste that has to be transported to landfills for disposal each day by the successful tenderer, in order to meet the requirements of the tender document; and

(e)  whether the authorities have considered adopting other techniques to handle the livestock waste collected by the operator, in order to reduce waste loads to landfills; if they have, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a)  Prior to determining the scope of service for this current tender, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has carried out an initial evaluation of the alternative technologies available and has also considered the possibility of increasing the compost quantity at the Sha Ling and Ngau Tam Mei Composting Plants so as to relieve the pressure at the landfills. Taking into account the available area at Sha Ling and Ngau Tam Mei, the evaluation concluded that the existing aeration composting technology, force aeration composting and in-vessel composting are appropriate. Furthermore, it would be prudent to establish a long-term strategy for the management and treatment of livestock waste pending the decision from the Government on the voluntary scheme for the surrender of pig farm licences, before making substantial changes to the composting requirements at Sha Ling and Ngau Tam Mei. As the current livestock waste collection and compost contract will expire shortly, the Government has decided that a new contract should be awarded to continue to provide the existing service, covering the operation and maintenance of the composting plants as well as maintaining the livestock waste collection service for over 360 farms.

(b)  EPD is working together with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Hong Kong Organic Resources Centre on a set of compost standards for the use of compost in Hong Kong. The result is expected to be published in the near future. In determining the compost standards for the current tender, we have made reference to the existing compost characteristics and quality from the composting plant and have also considered relevant standards from various overseas countries.

(c)  The tender has a requirement to treat 700 tonnes of livestock waste per month, while the future contractor is encouraged to improve the composting process with a view to increasing the treatment capacity such that a higher quantity of compost can be produced.  As mentioned in paragraph (a) above, we felt it prudent that a long-term strategy for the management and treatment of livestock waste should be established prior to making substantial changes to the composting requirements of the composting plants.

(d)  Under the contract requirement, the contractor is required to collect around 200 tonnes per day of livestock waste from farms out of which about 23 tonnes of the waste will be delivered to the composting plants for composting process while the rest of the livestock waste will be disposed of at the landfills.

(e)  The Government has considered alternative technologies to treat the collected livestock waste. Having taken into account the available area at Sha Ling and Ngau Tam Mei, the existing aeration composting technology, force aeration composting and in-vessel composting are considered appropriate.

Ends/Wednesday, May 25, 2005

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