FEHD to launch anti-rodent operation in designated target areas next week
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An FEHD spokesman said today (April 16), "The FEHD attaches great importance to rodent prevention and control work. In addition to the two phases of the territory-wide anti-rodent campaign conducted annually, the FEHD conducted two rounds of anti-rodent special operations in designated target areas for the first time last year, all concluding with fruitful results in rodent control and improving the community environment.
"The FEHD therefore will again conduct two rounds of special operations between the two phases of anti-rodent campaign this year. The first round of the special operation, lasting for two months, will be launched on April 23. Each District Environmental Hygiene Office of the FEHD, taking into account factors including rodent infestation rates, the number of rodent complaints received, views of the local community, the number of food premises and 'three-nil' buildings, will identify target areas in each district and continue to adopt multi-pronged strategies, including improving environmental hygiene and stepping up rodent disinfestation and enforcement actions, for carrying out targeted rodent prevent and control work in those areas.
"FEHD staff will enhance street cleaning services and cleaning of public markets and hawker bazaars in the target areas, including sweeping and cleaning of streets and rear lanes, clearing refuse and waste, emptying and cleaning of litter containers, and clearance of miscellaneous articles and waste in public markets and hawker bazaars, so as to keep the environment clean," the spokesman said.
"We will also strengthen rodent disinfestation work at problematic spots such as rear lanes, refuse collection points, markets, hawker bazaars, cooked food markets and peripheral areas of construction sites by placing poisonous baits and traps, destroying rat holes and implementing rodent-proofing measures.
"Furthermore, we will step up inspections of food premises. Enforcement actions against food premises causing poor environmental hygiene conditions, scullery and food preparation in rear lanes, and improper handling and disposal of rubbish will be strengthened. We will also adopt a zero-tolerance approach against common public cleanliness offences and take stringent enforcement actions against illegal disposal of refuse and waste."
The FEHD will also strengthen public education and publicity to boost public support and participation in the anti-rodent operation so as to enhance the overall effectiveness of the rodent prevention and control work. Apart from the broadcast of TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest and display of posters on public transport, the FEHD will collaborate with District Councils and District Offices of the Home Affairs Department to organise anti-rodent promotional activities. The department will also arrange health talks for building management offices of private buildings, persons-in-charge of food premises, and market and hawker stall operators to provide information and technical advice on rodent prevention and control.
The spokesman appealed to the community for active participation as well as joint efforts against the three survival conditions of rodents, namely food, harbourage and passages, i.e. the elimination of the food sources and hiding places of rodents as well as blockage of their dispersal routes, so as to combat the rodent problem.
Ends/Monday, April 16, 2018
Issued at HKT 16:00
Issued at HKT 16:00
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