LCQ9: Rodent disinfection and pest control in subsidised housing courts/estates
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     Following is a question by the Hon James To and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, in the Legislative Council today (April 20):

Question:

     It has been reported that quite a number of residents of subsidised housing have recently complained about the serious problem of rodent infestation in their housing courts/estates, which has affected their daily living and even posed hazards to their health.  Although the residents concerned have made as much efforts as possible to improve the hygiene conditions of their flats, due to the poor results of the rodent disinfestation operations carried out by the authorities in the common areas of these housing courts/estates, the rodent infestation problem cannot be uprooted.  Besides, some residents have relayed to me that pest problem in the eateries in their housing courts/estates is quite serious as well.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council, in the past three years:

(1) of (i) the number of complaints received by the Housing Department (HD) and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) about rodent infestation in residential flats in the subsidised housing courts/estates under their management, and (ii) the respective numbers of complaints about rodent infestation and pest problem in the eateries there, with a tabulated breakdown by type of housing and District Council district;

(2) of the specific follow-up actions taken by HD and HKHS on the complaints in (1), with a tabulated breakdown by the outcome/progress (e.g. settled, to be handled) of the handling of such complaints;

(3) whether HD and HKHS stepped up cleaning operations in those housing courts/estates with relatively more such complaints received; if not, of the reasons for that; if they did, the weekly increase in the frequency of cleaning, and whether the number of such complaints received subsequently has decreased; and

(4) of the details concerning the follow-up actions taken by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) on the complaints about rodent infestation and pest problem in the eateries in such housing courts/estates, including the number of prosecutions instituted, and the respective numbers of eateries imposed with licence suspension, licence revocation and other penalties; whether FEHD stepped up inspections on the eateries concerned upon receiving complaints against them; if not, of the reasons for that; if FEHD did, whether the number of complaints received subsequently against such eateries has decreased?

Reply:

President,

     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) attaches great importance to the environmental hygiene of its public rental housing (PRH) estates. HA has been closely monitoring its service contractors to ensure that they carry out various cleansing work, including elimination of rodents, properly to create a clean and healthy living environment for its residents.  As rodent problems can also be caused by poor environmental hygiene conditions of areas in the vicinity of the estates, Housing Department (HD), as the executive arm of HA, will collaborate with relevant Government departments and organisations to combat rodent problems.

     Having consolidated information provided by the Food and Health Bureau, my reply to the Hon James To's question is as follows:

(1) According to HD's records, the number of complaints regarding rodent problems in residential areas and public places (excluding food premises) in PRH estates under HA in the past three years with breakdown by districts is at Annex A.  The number of complaints about rodent and pest problems in food premises in PRH estates under HA with breakdown by districts is at Annex B.  HD does not have relevant figures in the case of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) courts and the Tenants Purchase Scheme (TPS) estates where property management are carried out by management companies engaged by relevant incorporated owners.

     According to the information provided by the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), the number of complaints on rodent problems in its rental housing estates (excluding food premises within the estates) in the past three years, with breakdown by districts, is at Annex C.  The number of complaints concerning rodent and pest problems in food premises within the estates are at Annex D.  For developments under the Flat-for-Sale Scheme, Sandwich Class Housing Scheme and Subsidised Sales Flat Projects under HKHS's management, HKHS has not received any complaints concerning rodent and pest problems in the food premises within these developments in the past three years.  As for the number of complaints received about rodent problems in these developments excluding food premises therein, HKHS has only received five complaints in the past three years and all of them were recorded in the Eastern District in 2014.

(2) In relation to those complaints, HD and HKHS have taken concrete follow-up actions, including strengthening inspections in estate areas, putting rat baits at black spots and reinforcing the cleansing of buildings and the surrounding areas so as to maintain a clean and hygienic environment.  With these measures taken, all cases are under control.  HD and HKHS will continue to carry out various measures to guard against rodent problems.

(3) Upon receipt of complaints, in addition to the follow-up actions outlined above, HD and HKHS will take into account the seriousness of the rodent and pest problems and enhance the cleansing work in those estates where more complaints on such problems are received.  Depending on needs, additional cleansing work of one to two times would be arranged per week.  For more serious cases, the cleansing work would be increased to seven times per week.

(4) Under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X), no person engaged in any food business shall knowingly suffer or permit the presence of rats, mice or insects in any food premises.  Offenders are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months, alongside with a daily fine of $300.  From 2013 to 2015, the number of complaints against food premises found with hygienic problem, including presence of rats, mice or insects, dirty premises, food preparation in open space etc., is 17 110.

     Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) does not keep a breakdown of complaints against rodent and insect problems in restaurants located within public housing area.

     From 2013 to 2015, FEHD instituted 1 310 prosecutions against unhygienic food premises, including presence of rats, mice or insects, dirty premises, food preparation in open space etc.  FEHD does not keep a breakdown of prosecutions against unhygienic restaurants located within public housing area.

     Upon receipt of complaints concerning unhygienic condition in licensed restaurants, FEHD's staff will carry out investigations to ensure that statutory standards for environmental hygiene and food safety are met and relevant licensing conditions are observed.  In this connection, FEHD's staff will inspect the overall hygienic condition of the restaurant.  If the complaint is related to the presence of rats, mice or insects, FEHD's staff will specifically look for signs of rodent and insect problems, enquire about the appropriateness of the pest control measures and the waste disposal arrangement of the restaurant, as well as offer advice to the restaurant operator on control measures against rodent and insect problems as needed.  Depending on the outcome of the investigations, FEHD will step up inspections to the restaurant concerned and enhance the pest control measures in the public places in its vicinity.  If there is any breach of licensing conditions or relevant legislation by the restaurant operator, FEHD may issue warning letters or institute prosecutions.  In addition, FEHD may consider suspending or cancelling the restaurant licences under the Demerit Points System or the Warning Letter System for repeated breaches.

     Where necessary, FEHD District Environmental Hygiene Offices will convene special meetings with departments concerned including HD to enhance their awareness of the importance of rodent control in the venues under their management and offer professional advice on rodent prevention and control.  FEHD will render assistance to HD in implementing anti-rodent measures, which include conducting regular inspections to its building sites, organising anti-rodent talks to staff of HD and property service agents, and conducting joint inspections with HD in PRH estates to monitor the effectiveness of the anti-rodent measures.

Ends/Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Issued at HKT 13:54

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