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The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 8) launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance (Cap 529). The purpose of the proposed amendments is to strengthen the membership of the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong (VSB) and streamline its modus operandi, thereby enhancing its capacity in performing its statutory functions, including the efficient handling of complaints. The consultation exercise will last until November 30. Members of the public are invited to express their views.
A spokesperson for the AFCD said, "Over the years, the veterinary sector has undergone significant changes as a result of the rapid advancement of veterinary knowledge, growing awareness of the importance of animal welfare and rising community expectations about the standard of veterinary service in Hong Kong. These developments underline the important role that the VSB is fulfilling as a regulator of service standards, in the interests of promoting the further healthy development of the veterinary profession.
"The number and complexity of complaints received by the VSB in recent years have grown markedly in tandem with the wider availability and utilisation of veterinary services. Under the current structure and modus operandi, the VSB is not well placed to cope with the increasing caseload. The VSB and the Government have jointly undertaken a review of the current situation to identify improvement measures."
Measures in two major areas are proposed:
(i) expanding and strengthening the membership of the VSB; and
(ii) improving complaint-handling procedures.
"We welcome views from the public and stakeholders. The Government will take into account the views received when finalising the relevant proposals," the spokesperson said.
The consultation document has been uploaded to the FHB website (www.fhb.gov.hk) and the AFCD website (www.afcd.gov.hk), and will be available at the Public Enquiry Service Centres of District Offices from October 19.
Three consultation forums will be held for stakeholders and members of the public to express their views. Details of the forums are as follows:
Date: October 22 (Monday)
Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Language: Cantonese
Venue: Lecture Hall of Hong Kong Science Museum, Tsim Sha Tsui East
Date: November 1 (Thursday)
Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Language: English
Venue: Room 701, 7/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, Kowloon
Date: November 15 (Thursday)
Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Language: English
Venue: Room 701, 7/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, Kowloon
A simultaneous interpretation service will be provided in the forums.
Members of the public may call 2150 6904 during office hours or email (tsdiq@afcd.gov.hk) for seat reservations. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Views and comments should be sent to the Technical Services Division, Inspection and Quarantine Branch of AFCD by post to 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon; by fax to 2156 0215; or by email to tsdiq@afcd.gov.hk by November 30. For enquiries, please call 2150 6904.
Ends/Monday, October 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:20
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