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Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kwong-wah and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, (in the absence of the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food), at the Legislative Council meeting today (May 9):
Question:
Regarding the inspection and eradication of red fire ant mounds, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the number of red fire ant mounds found last year and the relevant details;
(b) of the details of the actions taken to eradicate the red fire ant mounds found;
(c) of the measures to eradicate ants to be taken in areas where red fire ant mounds have been found, and whether ants surveillance inspections will be carried out more frequently in those areas; and
(d) whether it will re-issue publicity leaflets and posters about red fire ants and step up publicity efforts in this regard, so as to remind the public how to effectively avoid the nuisance caused by red fire ants?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Between May 1, 2006 and April 30, 2007, a total of 3,054 ant mounds were found in various districts including Lantau Island, Yuen Long, Tai Po, Kam Tin, Tin Shui Wai, Tseung Kwan O, Fanling, Sha Tin, Ta Kwu Ling, Sheung Shui and Sham Shui Po. In general, between several to a dozen or so ant mounds were found in each infested site. However, over 2,700 ant mounds were found on several pieces of government land with a total area of about 30 hectares in Tseung Kwan O in April 2007.
Red fire ants have been occasionally found in Hong Kong since their first detection in the territory in 2005. Once red fire ant mounds are found, relevant government departments will take prompt action to eradicate them.
(b) Since the first detection of red fire ants in 2005, the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau has set up an inter-departmental action group to coordinate the work on the control and prevention of red fire ants. The action group comprises members from various government departments and relevant agencies, including the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD); Food and Environmental Hygiene Department; Department of Health; Housing Department; Leisure and Cultural Services Department; Highways Department; Civil Engineering and Development Department; Lands Department; Home Affairs Department; Architectural Services Department; Education and Manpower Bureau; Environmental Protection Department; Environment, Transport and Works Bureau; Information Services Department and Airport Authority. With regard to the control, prevention and eradication work, all government departments are responsible for inspecting the venues and premises under their purview and participating in the control and prevention work against red fire ants. Once red fire ant mounds are found, they will take prompt action to eradicate them. The AFCD has issued a technical note on red imported fire ant control methods to various departments and pesticide application service providers, setting out in detail the appropriate pesticide application and mound treatments. Apart from organising technical seminars on the control of red fire ants for government departments and pesticide application service providers, the AFCD will also review the work progress with the departments concerned at regular intervals.
(c) During the course of pesticide treatment, the government departments concerned will keep on inspecting the areas under their purview where red fire ant mounds have been found so as to ensure the pest is properly eradicated. With regard to the control and prevention of red fire ants, the AFCD will also regularly remind the departments to check the venues and premises under their purview, including those previously infested areas to ensure that the ants will be discovered and eradicated as soon as possible.
(d) Upon first discovery of red fire ants in 2005, the Government immediately produced a publicity leaflet informing the public of the way to handle suspicious cases of red fire ants and giving health advice on stings by red fire ants. It also provided free identification service through the AFCD. The leaflet is distributed to the public regularly through schools, district offices, housing estates, Environmental Resource Centre and Property Management Advisory Centre to remind the public of the points to note when handling red fire ants. Information on red fire ants has also been uploaded to the websites of the AFCD, Department of Health and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for public reference. In addition, the Government has also strengthened public education through posters and Announcements in the Public Interest.
Ends/Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:21
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