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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (November 1):
Question:
Recently, I have received complaints from members of the public about the spraying of pesticides or herbicides (such as Gramoxone) on walkways in the rural areas or in the vicinity of kindergartens. They are worried that these chemicals may pose health hazards to residents (especially young children). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the number of complaints received in each of the past three years about the spraying of pesticides or herbicides in unsuitable places, together with a breakdown by districts;
(b) whether currently there are measures to regulate the spraying of pesticides; if so, of the responsible government department; if not, the reasons for that; and
(c) whether it will consider strengthening the monitoring of spraying pesticides in order to safeguard public health; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President:
(a) The Government has received a total of ten complaints about pesticide spraying between 2003 to 2005 and during 2006 (January to October).
The Government received five complaints about the use of pesticides in 2003. Three of the reported incidents occurred in Tai Po with the remaining two in Sai Kung and Lamma Island.
One case occurred in Mui Wo in 2004.
Three cases were received in 2005, one each in Tseung Kwan O, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing.
Between January and October 2006, the Government received one complaint about use of pesticides in Mui Wo.
Most of the complainants of the above ten cases expressed dissatisfaction about the spraying of pesticide or were worried about its impact on health. The investigation of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) did not disclose any use of unregistered pesticide, but the department advised the parties concerned to follow the instructions on product labels about the proper use of pesticides. The investigation of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) also did not disclose any breach of environmental protection legislation relating to the use of pesticide. None of the ten cases posed health hazard to the public.
(b) The current Pesticides Ordinance (Chapter 133) regulates the import, supply, sale and manufacture of pesticides by stipulating requirements on the registration of effective pesticide ingredients, licensing, labelling and packaging. Only pesticides that are registered may be marketed and used in Hong Kong. The Pesticides Ordinance is enforced by AFCD. At present, there is no express provision in the Ordinance that regulates spraying of pesticides.
To protect public health, AFCD has printed leaflets and pamphlets to educate the public on the proper application of pesticide, and to remind them to follow the instructions on product labels. AFCD also provides technical support to farmers and pesticide companies on the proper and safe ways to apply pesticide.
On receipt of a complaint about improper use of pesticide, AFCD will send its staff to see if there is any breach of the Pesticides Ordinance, such as the use of unregistered pesticides. If the complaint is related to environmental pollution, EPD will send its staff to investigate whether any environmental protection legislation has been breached.
(c) The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau plans to amend the Pesticides Ordinance in 2007 to require all pest control companies and persons concerned to first obtain accreditation and approval from AFCD before applying pesticides in public places, and follow the relevant safety procedures, safeguard measures and guidelines on product labels, in order to safeguard the health of the public.
Ends/Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:02
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