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(…) To gain a competitive edge on quality, local farmers have been turning to organic agriculture in recent years; conversion is supported by AFCD's technical advice. At end 2013, there were 225 organic farms, producing some 5.5 tonnes of organic vegetables a day.

Legislation requires all livestock farms to be licensed and possess appropriate livestock waste treatment facilities. (…)

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is responsible for securing orderly production and marketing of agricultural produce, enforcing regulations, and preserving ecological integrity. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) is in charge of agri-food import certification and the administration of food safety programmes (section 3.2.8).

The AFCD provides basic infrastructure, technical advice, liaison services, marketing, and training to assist fishermen and encourage conversion to sustainable fisheries. (…) In addition, the AFCD operates a voluntary Accredited Fish Farm Scheme to monitor the hygiene standards of fish farms and the quality of cultured fish, a fish health management programme, and a good aquaculture practices programme.

During the review period, the AFCD continued to implement fisheries conservation and management measures. These included strict enforcement against destructive fishing practices, deployment of artificial reefs to contribute to higher diversity and abundance of fish, and the introduction of a ban on trawling in HKC waters (effective 31 December 2012). Amendments to the Fisheries Protection Ordinance in 2012 included the introduction of a registration system for local fishing vessels; limits on new entrants to control the number of fishing vessels; restrictions on fishing by non-fishing vessels; the prohibition of fishing activities of non local fishing vessels in HKC waters; and the designation of fisheries protection areas.

(…) Amendments to the Fisheries Protection Ordinance in 2012 included measures to further enhance the conservation and management of fisheries resources.

HKC is a net energy importer as it has no indigenous energy resources. The objectives of HKC's energy policy remained unchanged during the review period: to ensure that the energy needs of the community are met safely, reliably, efficiently, and at reasonable prices; to minimize the environmental impact of energy production; and to use and promote the efficient use and conservation of energy. There is no legislation regulating market conditions per se in the energy sector. The Government considers it should intervene only to safeguard the interests of consumers where necessary, ensure public safety, and protect the environment. The Environment Bureau's policy functions include monitoring prices and the energy strategic reserves.

The Government encourages the use of renewable energy in HKC, though it faces constrains such as scarcity of land for wind turbines. Lamma Winds, a wind-power station owned and operated by HEC, running a 800 kW wind turbine, is the first commercial-scale wind turbine in HKC. There are also some small wind turbine projects funded by the Government or by private financial sources.

The electricity tariffs charged by the companies cover operating costs and fuel charges and include the permitted return for providing the service. Under the current SCAs (Scheme of Control Agreements), the permitted rate of return on the average net fixed assets of the power companies is 9.99%; fixed assets for renewable energy permitted a higher rate of return of 11%. (…)

Box 4.16 Regulatory framework for construction services
Professional qualification requirements and procedures

For private building projects
Building professionals are required to be registered under the Buildings Ordinance before they are qualified to perform duties and functions under the Buildings Ordinance so as to ensure compliance with the statutory safety, health and environmental standards for private building works and street works. (…)