Agricultural policy review

Industry experts call for the Hong Kong government to consider food security and sustainability a policy priority, and to adopt a holistic approach.

"The Hong Kong government does not see agricultural development as a high priority as the industry accounts for a tiny proportion of the city's gross domestic product. Hong Kong does not have a crisis awareness that food supply may be disrupted," said Lam Hon-ming, professor of life sciences at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Lam contrasted the situation of Hong Kong with Singapore and some mainland cities. "Singapore is acutely aware that food supply should be secure. In Hong Kong, food is almost entirely supplied by the Chinese mainland.

"Unlike Beijing, Shanghai or Singapore, Hong Kong has not formulated a road map for food self-sufficiency. There is no urgency for local food production. If the government formulates such a target, then policies may follow to realize this goal."