Officials work hard to curb rat population
I refer to the letter on rat infestation by Percy Leung Pok-lai ('Officials must recognise that rat infestation is a serious problem', February 15) and thank him for his views and suggestions on anti-rodent work.
We attach great importance to rodent control work. Our in-house and contract pest control staff have been carrying out regular work to curb infestation and systematic rodent surveys in Hong Kong.
We organise anti-rodent campaigns throughout Hong Kong twice a year to raise public awareness and to co-ordinate community efforts to tackle the problem. The rat-biting incidents helped heighten public awareness of the importance of such work.
The keys to eradication of rats lie in keeping the environment clean and tidy. It involves proper handling of leftovers, so that food sources to vermin are stopped, and clearing refuse and debris so they have no hideouts. We have spared no effort in tackling recalcitrant restaurants with unauthorised setting of tables and chairs outside premises and associated sanitary nuisances. We will step up our efforts in these areas.
We are concerned about the case of restaurant staff suspected of handling food dishes/remnants irresponsibly on the streets in Hung Hom, and appeal to Mr Leung to provide us with the names and addresses of the restaurants. It would help with our investigations and follow-up action.
In the past year up to June 30, we took out some 330 prosecutions against restaurant operators for illegally extending their business, and about 1,200 prosecutions against litter offenders in the district.
