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.