The Environment & Ecology Bureau and the General Administration of Customs (GACC) today signed two co-operation agreements on meat and dairy products exported to the Mainland, facilitating food trade between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan said the Memorandum of Understanding on the Inspection, Quarantine & Hygiene Requirements for Meat Products Exported from Hong Kong to the Mainland, and the Cooperation Arrangement for the Export of Dairy Products from Hong Kong to the Mainland, will further facilitate bilateral food trade and the development of meat and dairy products businesses in Hong Kong.

“Upon implementation of the arrangements, Hong Kong-manufactured meat and dairy products meeting the requirements set out in the co-operation agreements will be allowed to be imported into the Mainland.”

The two agreements put in place the monitoring of food safety from the source for Hong Kong-manufactured meat and dairy products exported to the Mainland. They will cover requirements for testing the sources of food raw materials and food manufacturers on production management, including storage and transportation of food products.

The Centre for Food Safety will discuss with the GACC the operational details of the agreements. The centre will also organise seminars to help the trade better understand the requirements of the agreements.