I refer to Andrew Brent's letter headlined, 'Process slow and bureaucratic' (South China Morning Post, June 16).
Mr Brent, marketing director of ParknShop, has made a number of comments on licensing matters of food retailing premises. Under the Food Business Regulation, any person who operates a food business has to obtain relevant licences from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). The FEHD, as the licensing authority, provides a one-stop shop service. We co-ordinate and act in concert with the Buildings Department, Fire Services Department and other departments in processing licence applications to ensure that the premises comply with the requisite health, building and fire safety requirements.
In response to the food retail trade's suggestion, a provisional licensing system for food retailing premises has been in place since November, 1998. A provisional licence, which is valid for six months, will be issued if the premises concerned comply with the basic health, building and fire safety requirements. This enables a company to start its business within a reasonable time-frame pending issue of a full licence. From our experience, an applicant for a food retailing premises licence can normally obtain a provisional licence in about two months. The majority of applicants are able to obtain a full licence before their provisional licences expire.
We aim to provide a good service to applicants. User-friendly guidelines for applicants' reference are available in both booklets and on the department's Web site. We also meet with representatives of the trade to collect feedbacks on licensing. Furthermore, to meet the changing needs of food retailing premises, the Government will shortly commission a consultancy study on how the existing licensing system for food licences can be simplified and improved.
Our aim is to put in place an open and business-friendly licensing regime, without compromising hygiene and safety standards.
CHARLES WONG for Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene