Hong Kong and Guangdong have signed a framework agreement on
exchanges and cooperation in food safety, according to a government
report on Tuesday.
Two sides reached a deal following their first working meeting
on this issue in Guangzhou, and the deal will foster mutual
exchange of food safety information following the setting up of the
Center for Food Safety in the middle of this year, said CarrieYau,
Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food.
According to the deal, two sides will enhance information
exchange - including significant food safety policies, regulations,
standard introduction, revision or updating, as well as information
and investigation findings on significant food safety
incidents.
They are set to have regular meetings at least once a year to
review mutual cooperation and study the work arrangements at the
next stage or major incidents; experts of both sides will study the
specialty and technicality issues relating to food safety to
provide views for the governments' reference in policy making.
Hong Kong was working to strengthen links with Guangdong and
neighboring cities to enhance the food safety mechanism since last
year when a series of food incidents including the malachite green
and Streptococcus suis cases aroused widespread concern over food
safety.
Yau said the work concerning the information, surveillance,
investigation, publicity, education and research on food safety
will become more systematic following the setting up of the Center
for Food Safety.
Public awareness of and confidence in food safety will also be
raised, added Yau.
(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2006)
