************************************************************
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (July 4) urged members of the public not to buy or use unregistered pesticides, as such products have not been evaluated by the AFCD and their safety has not been assessed.
The AFCD recently noted there are on-line advertisements related to three pesticides which use coolant chemicals including 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze), 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) and dimethyl ether (DME) for freezing and to kill pests.
These products are believed to be imported from Japan. They are not registered pesticides in Hong Kong and do not bear registration numbers and proper labels in both Chinese and English.
The AFCD is monitoring the situation and will take necessary follow-up action.
According to the Pesticides Ordinance (Cap 133), a person shall possess a permit from the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation before he can import, manufacture, sell, supply or have in his possession any unregistered pesticides. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.
The Pesticides Ordinance regulates the import, supply, sale and manufacture of pesticides by stipulating requirements on registration of pesticides, licensing, labelling and packaging. Only pesticides that are registered may be marketed and used in Hong Kong.
Members of the public who have bought the above product should stop using it. They may submit them to the Plant and Pesticide Regulatory Division, AFCD, 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon during office hours for follow-up or disposal. For enquiries, please call 2150 7029.
For information on pesticide registration and control, please visit www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quarantine/qua_pesticide/qua_pes_pes/qua_pes_pes.html.
Ends/Thursday, July 4, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:02
NNNN
