Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ9: Promoting development of local agriculture (1) of the number of farms engaged in farming and their respective cultivated area in each of the past five years, with a breakdown by (i) accredited farms, (ii) farms with certifications issued by the aforesaid certification organisations, and (iii) other farms;
(2) of the local production of vegetables and fruit in each of the past five years, with a breakdown by (i) accredited farms, (ii) farms with certifications issued by the aforesaid certification organisations, and (iii) other farms;
(3) of the number of local and Mainland farms currently participating in the Scheme; among them, the number of farms which are “inactive” (i.e. their agricultural land has been abandoned and no commercial crop production is taking place); and the number of accredited farms delisted by the AFCD due to inactivity in each of the past five years;
(4) of the current eligibility criteria for becoming an accredited farm; whether it knows the conditions adopted by the aforesaid certification organisations for granting organic certification; and the support and facilitation measures provided by the AFCD to farms participating in the Scheme and to farms with organic certification;
(5) the number of investigations conducted by the authorities on local vegetables and fruits by way of sample testing in each of the past five years, and the number of cases where unsatisfactory samples were detected, with a breakdown by (i) accredited farms, (ii) farms with certifications issued by the aforesaid certification organisations, and (iii) other farms; and how the authorities follow up on unsatisfactory samples, including whether they will conduct investigations into the farms from which such samples originate;
(6) of the current requirements for becoming an “accredited retailer”; whether the AFCD has compiled statistics on the number of “accredited retailers” which sell only agricultural produce from accredited farms, and whether it requires retail outlets selling agricultural produce from non-accredited farms to distinguish such produce by labelling; and
(7) given that the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries published by the Government in 2023 proposes the building of local agricultural products brand, will the authorities consider integrating the Scheme and the organic certification services of the aforesaid certification organisations to introduce a centralised certification system for grading local agricultural products so as to enhance their attractiveness and recognition?
Year(hectares)(hectares)(hectares)(hectares) The AFCD conducts regular visits to “accredited farms” in both Hong Kong and the Mainland. If a farm was found left fallow for a long time or no longer engaged in commercial production, its “accredited farm” status would be lifted. The number of farms withdrew from the Accredited Farm Scheme over the past five years due to operational inactivity is tabulated as follows:
Year(2) According to the AFCD’s records, the total local crop production volumes from 2021 to 2025 were approximately 15 300 tonnes, 15 100 tonnes, 15 800 tonnes, 15 300 tonnes and 15 400 tonnes respectively. The AFCD does not maintain a breakdown of
Year”accredited vegetables” from “accredited farms” (Tonnes) (Note 2)(4) Participation in the Accredited Farm Scheme is voluntary in nature. Participating farms are required to adhere to the good agricultural practices drawn up by the AFCD, such as the proper use of pesticides and the keeping of cultivation records. The AFCD will carry out pre-harvest sampling of crops for pesticide residue analysis, and provide guidance to farmers on the proper use of pesticides, adoption of environmentally-friendly crop production methods and good horticultural practices, so as to enhance the quality of crops and create a premium and safe brand.
On the other hand, the HKORC has established a set of organic crop production standards with reference to the standards set out by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, and provides organic certification service to local farms. Farms being certified are required to comply with the operational rules specified in these production standards and maintain proper production records. The HKORC also conducts inspections of certified farms to ensure that their produce meets the standards. Moreover, the AFCD will visit “accredited farms” and “certified organic farms” to conduct pre-harvest sampling of crops for testing of pesticide residues and heavy metal. The number of samples collected by the AFCD for testing and that with unsatisfactory findings over the past five years are tabulated as follows:
Year(pre-harvest)(pre-harvest) When crop sample from an “accredited farm” is suspected of containing pesticide residues or heavy metal content exceeding the prescribed limits, the AFCD will immediately require the farm to delay the harvesting of the crops and step up inspections and collect follow-up samples to ensure pesticides have been used properly and that the crops meet the food safety standards before being sold. Farms with three violations within six months will have their “accredited farm” status lifted.
If crop sample from a “certified organic farm” is unsatisfactory, The AFCD and the HKORC will visit the farm for follow-up investigation and require the farm to stop the sale of the concerned batch of crops. If a non-compliance with the organic crop production standard is confirmed, the HKORC will suspend or revoke the organic certification of the farm. Note 2: Since some “accredited farms” choose to distribute vegetables through direct sales or other channels, the market throughput of “accredited vegetables” has gradually decreased year on year.
Note 3: The production of crops from other farms includes crops grown by local “accredited farms” that are not “accredited vegetables” (i.e. crops not marketed through the VMO). The AFCD does not maintain the breakdown of the concerned items. Note 5: Samples containing pesticides mentioned in the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM) or other synthetic pesticides, or with a heavy metal content higher than the maximum level specified in the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap. 132V), are regarded as unsatisfactory. Issued at HKT 17:30