"Hong Kong 01" exclusively reported that a licensed fresh food store sold smuggled cat and dog meat.
In fact, in 2022, the FEHD received two complaints about the sale of cat and dog meat. Why did the reporter enforce the law after exposing it?
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department finally responded on Friday (10th) that after receiving inquiries from "Hong Kong 01" in early January, it inspected the shop several times, but found no business, and referred the relevant matters to relevant departments for follow-up at that time. The Fisheries and Conservation Department did not launch a joint raid with the FEHD until Thursday (9th) when the report was published.
The Secretary for the Environment and Ecology, Xie Zhanhuan, said today that he was seeking information from the FEHD about the situation and their past handling of incidents, but pointed out that the FEHD's investigation did not specifically target cats and dogs.
He also pointed out that the AFCD, as the main law enforcement department, will strengthen law enforcement.
Smuggled cat and dog meat・01 Exclusive｜Smuggled cat and dog meat sold in licensed restaurants with M meat and G meat proved to be cat and dog genes. The shop did not find 01. After the revelation, the fishery, food and environmental inspection suspected cat and dog meat tests
Response on January 6:
After receiving the 01 inquiry, inspected the store decoration several times and was closed
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department stated on January 6 that after receiving an inquiry from a reporter from "Hong Kong 01", "the department sent staff to the premises several times to inspect and found that the shop was under renovation and not open for business." It also admitted that it had closed twice in 2022. A complaint about the sale of dog meat by the shop involved, but no dog meat sale was found during the inspection.
News announcement on February 9:
Suspicious cat and dog meat seized in joint surprise operation by AFCD and FEHD
"Hong Kong 01" reported on Thursday (9th) that a licensed fresh food store on New Reclamation Street in Jordan sold smuggled cat and dog meat.
After the report was published, the Fisheries and Conservation Department issued an article late at night on the same day, stating that it had launched a joint surprise operation with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department on the same day, and seized suspected dog or cat meat from a shop in Yau Ma Tei for further investigation. .
Response on February 10:
Food ring has repeatedly checked for unlicensed operations. After 01 inquiries, it will refer relevant departments to investigate cat and dog meat.
The FEHD finally responded today: "With regard to the situation of the premises involved in the investigation on the newly reclaimed land street, after receiving inquiries from the media in early January, the FEHD has sent staff to the premises several times to investigate whether there are people operating without a license on the site. For fresh food stores, evidence collection is still in progress. If someone is found to be operating a food business without a license, enforcement action will be taken against the operator in accordance with the "Food Business Regulations". As for the suspected sale of dog meat/cat meat at the alleged premises, The department has referred the matter to relevant departments for follow-up.”
The Secretary for the Environment and Ecology, Xie Zhanhuan, said today that the FEHD was investigating the sale of meat in the incident, not specifically targeting cats and dogs.
(Cable News Photo)
The food environment and fish protection belong to the Bureau of Environment and Ecology
In 2022, the government will be changed and reorganized. The FEHD will be under the jurisdiction of the former Food and Health Bureau, and will be under the same jurisdiction as the AFCD under the Environment and Ecology Bureau.
The Secretary for the Environment and Ecology, Xie Zhanhuan, said after attending the event today that he was asking the FEHD for the details of the incident and their past handling methods, but said that the role of the FEHD in the incident was to investigate the sale of meat, not specifically targeting cats and dogs.
Xie Zhanhuan also pointed out that the AFCD is the main law enforcement department and will strengthen enforcement: "The AFCD also made it very clear that they spare no effort in enforcing the law against the illegal sale of cat and dog meat, and will intensify their efforts in the future."
According to the "Cats and Dogs Ordinance", the Director of Fisheries and Conservation can authorize officers to enforce the law, and it also states that police officers have the authority to enforce the law.
However, the FEHD, AFCD and the police have not responded so far. After receiving the complaint, whether the FEHD will transfer the case to the police and AFCD for follow-up, and whether it will "release the snake" for investigation.
After the report was published, Legislative Council member Chen Keqin of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong wrote to the Secretary of the Environment and Ecology Bureau Xie Zhanhuan, asking the bureau to follow up seriously and strengthen inspection and law enforcement.
(Chen Keqin facebook)
The incident of selling smuggled cat and dog meat in a licensed restaurant has attracted attention from all walks of life. After reading the report, Legislative Council member Chen Hackin wrote to the Secretary for the Environment and Ecology, Xie Zhanhuan, expressing concern about the incident.
Mak Chi-ho, executive chairman of the non-profit Veterinary Services Association, criticized the law enforcement agencies for not paying attention to reporting; the Society for the Protection of Animals strongly condemned shops suspected of selling cat and dog meat.
▼"G Meat"▼
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▼"M Meat"▼
What is "M meat" and "G meat"?
"Hong Kong 01" revealed that local food stores smuggled cat and dog meat code-named "M meat" and "G meat" from mainland China to Hong Kong for sale. M is the Mandarin pinyin of "cat" "mao", and G is the Mandarin pinyin of "dog". "gou".
Where is the source of smuggled cat and dog meat in Hong Kong?
"Hong Kong 01" revealed that someone smuggled cat and dog meat from Kaiping, Guangdong to Hong Kong.
Many places in the mainland will hold dog meat festivals in June, including Yulin in Guangxi and Kaiping in Guangdong.
How do journalists expose someone selling smuggled cat and dog meat?
After the reporter of "Hong Kong 01" sent snakes to buy suspected cat and dog meat, he commissioned a laboratory to test the DNA of the meat and confirmed that it was cat and dog.
Is it legal to sell or eat dog and cat meat in Hong Kong?
Since the 1950s, Hong Kong has legislated to prohibit the consumption of cats and dogs. The "Cats and Dogs Regulations" expressly prohibits the slaughter, sale and consumption of cats and dogs. Violators can be fined up to HK$5,000 and imprisoned for 6 months.
Is it legal to eat cat and dog meat in mainland China?
Where are fasting laws?
There is no legislation to ban cats and dogs in the whole country. Some people's congress representatives proposed it in the two sessions, but there was no progress. Only Shenzhen and Zhuhai in Guangdong Province passed local legislation to prohibit eating cats and dogs.
Smuggled cat and dog meat・01 Exclusive｜Smuggled cat and dog meat sold in licensed restaurants with M meat and G meat proved to be cat and dog genes. The shop did not find 01. After the revelation, the fishery, food and environmental inspection suspected cat and dog meat tests