The Government will review the existing legislative regime in tackling offences related to environmental hygiene comprehensively and consider imposing heavier penalties if necessary, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing said today.

While meeting the media after attending the Legislative Council Ante Chamber Exchange Session, Mr Cheuk said the Government Programme on Tackling Hygiene Black Spots was a key agenda item during the session.

Explaining the programme’s focus, Mr Cheuk said: “We will conduct a comprehensive review of the relevant hygiene and sanitation legislation. And we will be looking at whether the existing legislation is adequate in terms of empowering government departments to properly carry out their duties and also the adequacy of penalties (for offenders). 

“We will take a holistic view and, if necessary, we will propose changes to the existing legislation. We will explore the prospect of enacting new legislation.”