Replies to Questions from Finance Committee Members

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2003-04
CONTROLLING OFFICER'S REPLY TO
Reply Serial No.
INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION
ETWB(E)001
Head : 22 - Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Question Serial No.
Programme : (2) Nature Conservation and Country Parks
Controlling Officer : Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Director of Bureau : Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
Question : Compared with 2002, the number of seedlings produced and planted in 2003 will
both drop over 10%. What are the reasons and the expenditures involved?
Asked by : Hon. CHOY So-yuk
Reply :
Number of seedlings produced
Since 2000, AFCD has concentrated on producing native tree seedlings that are normally
not available in the local market, and has ceased supplying seedlings to other government
departments that are available in commercial nurseries. As a result, seedling production has been
gradually scaled down from 827 000 in 2001 to 736 000 in 2002 and to 650 000 in 2003. An
annual saving of $1.4 million is achieved as a result.
Number of seedlings planted
The number of tree seedlings planted in 2002 was 1 015 000. This consists of 899 000
seedlings planted in country parks and 116 000 planted outside country parks. In 2003, AFCD
will concentrate on planting trees in country parks. This will result in an annual saving of $3.05
million.
Gototop
Signature
Name in block letters THOMAS C Y CHAN
Post Title Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Date 20 March 2003
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