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Table 3.5 Export licensing schemes, 2013
Goods: Ozone-depleting substances
Licensing authority: Trade and Industry Department
Rationale: International obligation
(…)

Table 3.5 Export licensing schemes, 2013
Goods: Pesticides
Licensing authority: Trade and Industry Department (for pesticide containing methyl bromide);
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (for pesticide other than methyl bromide)
Rationale: International obligation
(…)

Table 3.5 Export licensing schemes, 2013
Goods: Sand
Licensing authority: Civil Engineering and Development Department
Rationale: To protect beaches and seabeds
(…)

Table 3.5 Export licensing schemes, 2013
Goods: Endangered species of animals and plants
Licensing authority: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Rationale: International obligation
(…)

Table 3.5 Export licensing schemes, 2013
(…)
Goods: Non-pesticide hazardous chemical
Licensing authority: Environmental Protection Department
Rationale: To protect human health and the environment in accordance with, inter alia, the principles of the Stockholm Convention and the Rotterdam Convention

(…) There are also specific deductions of capital expenditures on machinery and plant related to manufacturing and environmental protection. Depreciation allowances or write-offs on certain capital expenditures is to encourage businesses to upgrade production, protect the environment or enhance operations by making capital investment.

In addition, a number of incentives regarding profits tax were granted during the review period. These include: a 100% profits tax write-off in the first year of purchase of environment-friendly commercial vehicles; (…)

Other tax incentives include: a waiver of first registration tax for electric vehicles; concessions for environment-friendly vehicles; (…)

According to the HKC authorities, agricultural policy follows the free-market principle of minimal government intervention. It focusses on providing basic infrastructure, extension, and advisory services, and credit facilities to farmers. The AFCD carries out research in pest control, crop husbandry, soil management, new product varieties, and production techniques to assist farmers to improve productivity. Infrastructure support includes rehabilitation of fallow land, improvement of irrigation and drainage facilities, and farm management. Loans on concessional terms and emergency relief from natural disasters are also made available to farmers. The total value of loans for farm production under the various funds administered by the AFCD was HK$29 million in 2010-13.

Provisions pertaining to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are scattered in various acts and regulations. GMOs require authorization before their marketing and sale. In order to obtain authorization, genetically modified organisms (including aquatic organisms, plants, and animals) must undergo field tests and pass bio-safety assessments. Field tests of GMOs must be conducted by field testing institutions accredited by the relevant competent authorities. Evaluation Committees within the competent authorities are responsible for reviewing field tests and relevant management matters, as well as for approving bio-safety assessment reports after the field tests. A genetic-characteristics investigation, an integrated part of a field test, must be carried out and serve as a pre-requisite for bio-safety assessment. For imported GMOs, reports of genetic-characteristics investigations by the exporting countries may be accepted as reference documentation for the bio-safety assessment procedure. As of end-May 2014, only one GM-plant had been authorized.