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LCQ10: Pollution caused by food factories in the NT
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     Following is a question by the Hon Lau Wong-fat and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (April 1):

Question:

     On January 26, 2005, I raised a question on the problems of soya product factories causing serious pollution to the streams in the Northwest New Territories and emitting stenches, and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) explained the enforcement efforts made in this regard.  Several years have past but there are still residents relaying to me that despite their repeated complaints made to EPD relating to the problem concerned, the situation has not yet improved.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the operating licences such soya product factories located in the vicinity of streams are required to obtain;

(b) how the existing legislation and measures regulate illegal sewage discharges from such factories;

(c) apart from carrying out prolonged night-time ambush operations, of the measures the Government has put in place to tackle illegal sewage discharges from such factories late at night;

(d) of the number of prosecutions instituted in each of the past three years against owners of such factories for causing pollution to streams; and

(e) of the actions taken by EPD against the soya product factories concerned relating to the aforesaid problems since I raised the aforesaid question?

Reply:

President,

     The Government attaches great importance to the condition of streams in Northwest New Territories (NT).  To reduce pollution and improve the water quality of streams in the area, the Government has devoted substantial resources to, among other things, extending the public sewerage network to the NT and implementing a number of Sewerage Master Plans since the 1980s.  As livestock farming and food manufacturing processes often involve wastewater discharges, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and other relevant government departments have been working closely with the industries over the years to promote wastewater treatment technology with a view to reducing environmental pollution caused by such economic activities.  We also take vigorous enforcement actions to protect the environment.  

     In recent years, following the Government¡¦s launch of the Voluntary Surrender Scheme for livestock farms and the buyout scheme for live poultry trade, the impact of livestock waste on streams in the area has greatly reduced.  When the sewerage infrastructures are completed, the water quality of streams in the area will further improve.  In fact, since 1997, the Water Quality Objective compliance rates of all the seven major streams in Northwest NT have improved, with River Beas, River Indus and River Ganges in North District showing the most significant improvement.  Some streams in the remote rural areas of the NT, however, are still affected by pollution loads from livestock farms, village houses and rural factories due to the absence of a comprehensive sewerage network.  

     Our reply to the above question is as follows:

(a) & (b) Operators of soya product factories are required to apply to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for Food Factory Licences.  As soya product factories usually generate wastewater in their manufacturing processes, factory operators have to apply to EPD for Discharge Licences under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO).  The licence conditions require the provision of wastewater treatment facilities in the factories, impose restrictions on effluent discharges and set out monitoring requirements for the discharges.  Any person in contravention of the WPCO is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six-month imprisonment.

(c) EPD is aware that some factories discharge sub-standard effluents illegally late at night.  Targeting those factories suspected of discharging effluents illegally, enforcement officers of EPD set up night ambushes to take enforcement actions against contravention.  Besides, EPD carries out inspections of soya product factories from time to time to check whether effluent discharges are properly treated according to the licence requirements.  EPD also requires factory operators to submit regular effluent monitoring reports so that EPD can assess whether the wastewater treatment facilities are functioning properly.

(d) In the past three years, four prosecutions (2 in 2006 and 2 in 2008) instituted by EPD against soya product factories for illegal effluent discharges resulted in convictions.  Two other cases are in the process of prosecution.

(e) EPD has stepped up enforcement actions against illegal discharges by soya product factories.  Since 2006, EPD has carried out 211 inspections and 81 night ambushes targeting soya product factories that affect the water quality of streams in Northwest NT.  EPD will also strengthen communication with relevant government departments on cases of illegal effluent discharges for their reference, and will consider appropriate measures whenever necessary to effectively curb illegal effluent discharges.

Ends/Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:14

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