Hong Kong pork vendors knuckle down to change testing, reporting procedures following tainted pigs scandal
Group representing two-thirds of such traders propose delaying auction, slaughter of pigs to a day after arrival, and until inspection results are approved
Pork traders are pushing to make changes to the current testing and reporting mechanism for imported pigs after the government failed to stop the sale of contaminated pork in the market.
One association said the only way to ensure that the pork is safe for consumption is if the authorities postpone the auction and slaughter of the pigs to a day after they arrive and until all inspection results are approved.
The proposal comes a day after Food and Health Secretary Dr Ko Wing-man publicly apologised for the scandal, saying the government had made mistakes – possibly on “more than one level”.
Last week, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department discovered 319 pigs from Jiangxi province in south-east China had traces of Salbutamol and Clenbuterol. The drugs, commonly used to treat asthma, also artificially enhance animal growth and leanness.
Under standard procedures, the pigs are auctioned to vendors first while test results are being processed. FEHD officials then are notified of test results from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department at around 10pm. The pigs are slaughtered only after results are in, usually on the same day they arrive from across the border.
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But the Hong Kong Fresh Meat United, which represents up to two-thirds of the pork vendors in the market, said the AFCD had reported the initial test results – positive for drugs – to an FEHD official at the government slaughterhouse operated by meat distributor Ng Fung Hong only at 1am last Friday. At least 40 pigs were found to have been sold to 27 retailers across the city when the problem came to light later that morning.
The Hong Kong Fresh Meat United group met the Food and Health Bureau on Monday to discuss how they could resolve the problems. “The reason why it went wrong is because the [urine sample test] results were sent out late,” the group’s vice-chairman Kwan Kwok-wa said.
It would be impossible for any mistakes to happen if the authorities have 24 hours to conduct [the test] and confirm the results
“It would be impossible for any mistakes to happen if the authorities have 24 hours to conduct [the test] and confirm the results,” Kwan said. He added that this was the procedure used in the industry up until 2007. Another association, the Pork Traders General Association of Hong Kong, disagreed with the proposal.
It said pigs would not survive the ordeal of being kept in cramped spaces in such hot temperatures overnight. Instead, it said the AFCD should stick to the system in place – but with an earlier notification deadline of 6pm.
At least three vendors named on the list of 27 retailers claimed they did not buy any of the tainted pork, and requested compensation from the government. The FEHD said the list was made based on information gathered and provided by Ng Fung Hong, but they would continue to work with the meat distributor and other retailers for further verification.
Officials also said the government was considering offering compensation.
The FEHD is investigating what went wrong and whether the current reporting mechanism could be improved. They are hoping to complete the review within next week, according to a press release issued on Monday evening.
“We will carefully consider the recommendations made by the industry representatives,” a spokesman said. “As the proposals might affect other stakeholders in the supply chain, we plan to hold a meeting next week to consult all stakeholders on this matter.”
Mainland authorities issued a ban last Saturday on livestock farms in Jiangxi from exporting pigs to the city.
