SEE Advances Agricultural Innovation at APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Hangzhou

SEE attends APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Hangzhou

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (August 25) attended the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Ministerial Meeting (FSMM) in Hangzhou. This year, APEC China has adopted the theme "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together". The FSMM discussed advancing high-quality agricultural and rural development across the region, as well as leveraging agricultural science, technological innovation and digital transformation to address pressing food security challenges, and to strengthen the foundation for shared prosperity.

Speaking at the discussion session on Work Towards High Quality Agricultural and Rural Development in the Asia-Pacific Region, Mr Tse said Hong Kong has promulgated a blueprint for the sustainable development of agriculture and fisheries with a series of active programmes. The goal is to assist the modernisation and intensification of local agricultural and fisheries production to raise both output volume and value, as well as to support the long-term sustainability of farming communities.

Mr Tse said Hong Kong has established an Agricultural Park to nurture agro-technology and modern farm management knowledge. A Modernised Techno-Agricultural Park has also been set up through public-private partnership to support the development of modern commercial farming.

Mr Tse further said that Hong Kong's first modernised and environmentally-friendly multi-storey pig farm is targeted for completion around 2032. The project will employ automated, climate-controlled, digitally managed and AI-assisted systems, offering a replicable model for economies facing similar land constraints.

Mr Tse highlighted that Hong Kong has recently launched a new unified brand for local agricultural and fisheries products, Hong Kong Harvest, to certify local agricultural and fisheries products that meet rigorous safety, quality and traceability requirements. The brand will enhance market competitiveness and build consumer confidence to increase farmers' incomes and attract younger talent to join the industry.

Speaking at another discussion session on Food Security Empowered by Technological Innovation and Digital Agriculture, Mr Tse said Hong Kong has been actively promoting the modernisation and sustainable development of local agriculture through technology adoption to enhance productivity, strengthen climate resilience and reduce reliance on labour. Hong Kong has also been promoting urban farming in a multipronged manner.

Mr Tse said Hong Kong will continue to exchange and co-operate with APEC member economies to jointly advance agricultural innovation, strengthen food security and promote shared prosperity in the region.

Mr Tse will arrive in Hong Kong tonight.

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (August 25) attended the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Hangzhou. Photo shows Mr Tse (third right) speaking at the discussion session on Food Security Empowered by Technological Innovation and Digital Agriculture. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (August 25) attended the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Hangzhou. Photo shows Mr Tse speaking at the discussion session on Work Towards High Quality Agricultural and Rural Development in the Asia-Pacific Region. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan (back row, eighth left), today (August 25) attended the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Hangzhou. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes dried shark fins of suspected scheduled endangered species

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 7) seized about 31 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark fins of endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $130,000, at Hong Kong International Airport.

A 51-year-old Mainland female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Brazil via Ethiopia yesterday. She was intercepted for customs clearance at the arrivals hall of the airport. Customs officers found the batch of suspected scheduled dried shark fins inside her check-in baggage. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the batch of dried shark fins was suspected to be from endangered species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong. The woman was subsequently arrested by the Customs officers. The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.

The arrested woman has been charged by the AFCD with one count of illegal import of an Appendix II species.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes dried shark fins of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases