Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man today announced the results of the investigation into the detection of a veterinary drug in imported pigs.
Dr Ko said it was the Government's fault the tainted pork reached sellers earlier this month and he apologised to retailers and the public.
He said Food & Environmental Hygiene Department staff were told that tests showed some pigs imported from the Mainland were possibly tainted with a veterinary drug, but they failed to inform another group of staff at the Sheung Shui slaughterhouse who allowed the pigs to be slaughtered and sent for sale before their safety was assured.
As a result, more than three tons of pork, including meat that was not tainted, was seized from meat stalls in markets and destroyed.
The Government will offer ex-gratia payments to the affected retailers in compensation.
Dr Ko said the officers concerned did not act in accordance with the department’s guidelines and their cases will be handled according to established procedures.
Measures will be implemented to improve supply chain procedures to ensure the safety of pork sold to the public, which include strictly enforcing procedures and guidelines, increasing training to enhance staff awareness, and ensuring pig traders keep proper records, he added.
