rthk.hk - Express News: LocalToday, 11:42 AM
Vincent Fang had called for the ban to be scrapped till recently. Photo: RTHK
Vincent Fang talks to RTHK's Janice Wong
Liberal Party leader and legislator Vincent Fang has made an u-turn and now says the export restriction on baby formula should stay in place until there was enough public confidence in the supply of the products here.
Fang, who represents the wholesale and retail sectors in the Legislative Council, had on Friday called for the limit to be scrapped immediately citing falling sales and tourist numbers in Hong Kong.
The restrictions were introduced by the government in March 2013 to crack down on traders who bought infant formula in bulk and sold it on the mainland. People are only allowed to carry two tins of milk powder when they leave Hong Kong now.
Fang changed his stance on Monday during an RTHK radio programme after listening to difficulties experienced by parents who called into the programme.
He said lifting the ban now might provoke more anti-parallel trade protests, like the one on Sunday in Sheung Shui, which he condemned.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Ko Wing-man, said on Sunday that it was not the right time to lift the limit on baby milk formula as some districts in Hong Kong were still facing supply shortages.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1209875-20150907.htm
