Aquaculture for all

Tensions rise at Hong Kong fish embargo

HONG KONG - Tensions in the food fight between Hong Kong and the mainland were ratcheted up again as Guangdong fish suppliers abruptly halted their exports to the territory, accusing local officials of being too "picky" on safety standards.

The embargo - which virtually emptied wholesale fish markets Tuesday - forced Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai to rush to Beijing for high-level emergency sessions to smooth out the crisis.

After a day of meetings with high- level officials, Yau emerged with what she called a consensus that Hong Kong authorities had handled the crisis properly.

It was not immediately clear, however, whether Yau's visit to the capital would mean a swifter resumption of mainland fish imports to Hong Kong.

The fish controversy broke to the surface just days ago when trace amounts of malachite green, a prohibited and potentially dangerous chemical, were found in freshwater fish imported from Guangdong.

Source: The Standard
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