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The Health, Welfare & Food Bureau signed today an agreement allowing closer co-operation and communication in protecting public health here and on the Mainland.
The document, signed with the State General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine, reaffirms their co-operation framework on the inspection and quarantine of food, live animals, plants and animal products.
Building on the partnership the two sides attained while tackling the SARS outbreak earlier this year, the arrangement also formalises the liaison and exchange mechanism on port health control measures.
Liaison meeting to be held annually
Both sides will now conduct exchanges on major inspection and quarantine issues. An annual liaison meeting of senior officials will be held to examine major inspection and quarantine issues and other important data.
Individual working panels will be organised to study specialised issues relating to inspection and quarantine of animals and plants, food safety, health and quarantine measures and testing techniques.
Each side will designate two liaison officers. The Guangdong, Shenzhen and Zhuhai Entry-Exit Inspection & Quarantine Bureaux, and the Departments of Health, Food & Environmental Hygiene, and Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation, will also meet regularly to discuss operational matters.
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