LIVESTOCK FARMING IN HONG KONG: THE IMPLICATIONS OF LICENSE SURRENDER SCHEME FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS
Introduction
This thesis proposes to explore the implications of different ordinances and policies on imposed on livestock farming in Hong Kong. In particular, the research will focus on the implementation of license surrender scheme as applied to livestock farmers. Livestock is the collective term for farm animals that include pigs, cows, goats, sheep and chickens. We are all aware that this industry produces and contributes to the pollution. Efforts to control farms that cater to livestock must be guarded. Government intervention then is crucial.
The subject of the research was chosen because of two basic reasons. First, as a consumer myself, I want to make sure that the food I am taking in was processed according to standards because if not, it will have staggering effects on my physical health in the long run. Second, there is a necessity to know that the foods at the market are reared and delivered ethically because we may not know if we, as consumers, are contributing to the burden of our government in terms of patronizing products that did not pass through certain governmental procedures. Third, the public health might be in great jeopardy if the livestock farms are operating in violations of certain safety and environmental measures.
Background Information
Animal husbandry is one of the primary industries in Hong Kong. In 2006, there are about 226 local pig farms and 111 local poultry farms in existence. There are also two active dairy farms with a total herd population of less than 40 cows. Geographically, Hong Kong is consists of large, steep hillsides of which 60 kilometres of land is devoted to agricultural and livestock farms (HK Government, 2007).
The local farms contribute to Hong Kong people consumption to which 55% is accounted for live poultry and 23% for live pigs. The daily fresh food consumption of the total population includes 5, 400 head of pigs, 130 had of cattle and 90 tonnes of poultry along with 560 tonnes of rice and 1, 440 tonnes of vegetables (Ibid).
One of the relevant ordinances that regulate livestock keeping and connected activities is the Public Health Ordinance. Chapter 13 of this ordinance maintains that any person who intends to keep livestock in a livestock waste control area must apply for a Livestock Keeping License from the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD). For poultry farms, AFCD sustains that it should be 500 metres away from any existing poultry farm (ACFD, 2006).
Prior to obtaining the license, livestock farming applicants are required to install a proper waste treatment system. They are as well obliged to take necessary measures in minimising the environmental nuisances which are caused by livestock-keeping activities. Further, they are mandated to take biosecurity measures in order to prevent the spread of animal diseases (Ibid).
The government has implemented the Waste Disposal Ordinance. The ordinance includes provision for livestock waste pollution as livestock-keeping in new towns and environmentally-sensitive areas are prohibited. Though livestock farming is allowed, livestock farms must have proper waste treatment systems. In addition, the government provided livestock waste collection service at no charge (‘Hong Kong 2006’).
A license surrender scheme was introduced in order to encourage poultry and pig farms to cease permanent poultry- and pig-keeping. The scheme is entirely voluntary and livestock farmers are offered ex-gratia payments. In mid-2005 and 2006, the scheme was introduced to poultry farmers and pig farmers, respectively and are given one year to decide whether to join the scheme (Ibid).
Problem Definition
There are several areas that the policies must cover including but not limited to wastage treatment, waste management, waste information systems and improving control mechanisms that include regular farm inspection, farm hygiene measures and slaughter surveillances. Notably, Hong Kong is a densely populated area with minimal land and water resources. The pollution and other hazards coming from livestock farms could likely affect health of the people and the natural resources if policies would be ineffective. The risks that are associated with traditional livestock farming are in closed watch by the government.
However, there are no mechanisms to prove that the policy implemented is efficient enough to lessen the public health vulnerability and ecological problems. To wit, if the government had implemented the schemes in mid-2005 and 2006 then by early 2008 the government should have presented monitoring and reporting mechanisms as to what extent does the program had been a success. In addition, there remains a fact that the government is still under its target to accumulate the whole population of the livestock farmers to adhere to the said scheme. By the end of 2006, there are only 142 poultry farms and 101 pig farmers that had applied to surrender their respective livestock keeping license (LKL).
Research Objective
The primary aim of this study is to investigate the implications of the license surrender scheme to livestock farming. Specifically, the research will attempt at accomplishing the following objectives:
- To determine the causality (cause and effect) of the implementation of license surrender scheme
- To distinguish the views of the proponents, opponents and the policy-makers
- To determine the benefits and drawbacks the license surrender scheme has posed for the livestock farmers
- To trace the livestock farming practices improvements in lieu with the implementation of the license surrender scheme
- To established the functions and responsibilities of AFCD and its branches
Research Question
The study will seek to address the following questions:
Conceptual Framework
The framework that will be used in the research is the conceptual framework developed by Dalsgaard and his companion. The framework covers basically the roles and work of different groups that influence the operation of the livestock farms like the government, facilitators, commercial sector and local suppliers. The figure was shown below:
Fig. 1 The Factors that Affect the Livestock Farming Development (Source: Dalsgaard, et al, 2005)
Methodology and Data Processing
The research design that will be utilized in this study is exploratory. An exploratory research incorporates discovery of informations in both descriptive and investigative manner. This type of research uses in-depth interviews and projective methods in order to acquire rich insights regarding the subject. The main purpose of explanatory research is to answer the questions why and how; thus, providing breadth and depth to the study.
The study will incorporate both primary and secondary research. The primary sources of the research will be represented by the results and findings obtained from the respondents. This will be made possible by semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. Most of the questions will be in probing and investigative format.
The secondary sources will come from different reports of AFCD and the government. Different related documents will be included and will be obtained through a thorough research on published and unpublished articles on journals, agricultural industry reviews, books that directly relates with the subject, the Internet and magazines and newspapers.
Planning
WEEKS
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Problem
Identification
Literature
Review
Research
Design
Choice of
Methodology
Necessary Correspondence to Acquire Interview Permits
Data
Sources
Data
Collection
Data
Analysis
Writing up the First Draft and Necessary Revisions
First Submission and Feedbacking
Writing up the Second Draft and Necessary Revisions
Second Submission and Feedbacking
Encoding of Final
Documentation
Printing, Binding and Submission of Final
Document
Necessary Correspondence to Express Gratitude on Participation
Reference
Dalsgaard, J P T, Minh, T T, Giang, V N & Riise, J C 2005, Introducing A Farmer’s Livestock School Training Approach Into the National Extension System in Vietnam, Agricultural Research & Extension Network, Network Paper No. 144.
‘Hong Kong 2006 – Chapter 14: The Environment’, Government Yearbook, retrieved on 14 February 2008 from http://www.yearbook.gov.hk/2006/en/14_09.htm.
‘Hong Kong Fact Sheets – Agriculture and Fisheries’, 2007, Hong Kong Government, ACFD, Information Services Department, retrieved on 14 February 2008 from www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/agriculture.pdf.
‘Livestock Keeping License’, 2006, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (ACFD), retrieved on 14 February 2008 from http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/agriculture/agr_live/agr_live.html.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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