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Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending a public function this morning (March 7):
Reporter: Have you assessed whether you have enough support in the Legislative Council for the passage of the new law (Import and Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation 2013) and whether you have set the time limit for it?
Secretary for Food and Health: We have noticed that in the recent week, there have been various opinions, expressed in Hong Kong as well as on the Mainland, regarding our legislative move to restrict the export of infant formula from Hong Kong. In response, I have already, through some Mainland media, made a lot of explanation and clarification. We sincerely hope that through such effort, any misunderstanding, both in Hong Kong as well as on the Mainland, could be clarified because the only aim and objective for the HKSAR Government taking this legislative move is to ensure adequate supply of infant formula for Hong Kong parents and their babies.
Regarding the necessary completion of the relevant legislative process, we are aware of the fact that there have been different opinions from our Legislative Councillors. In this respect, we will double our effort in our explanatory and lobbying work to the legislators, hoping that they would understand the rationale of this legislative move, which is really something that we are taking as a last measure to ensure the adequate supply of infant formula to Hong Kong families.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Thursday, March 7, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:38
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