AFCD plans to Launch "Made in Hong Kong" Certification Brand to Boost Local Agricultural Value

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) plans to introduce a certification brand for local agricultural products within the 2025/26 financial year, covering vegetables, fruits, fisheries products, pork, and poultry. The initiative aims to promote "safe, high-quality, and low-carbon" local produce. Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, AFCD Director Mickey Lai announced that the certification will adhere to unified standards and be overseen by an independent third-party organization. Certified products will bear a label, enabling citizens to easily identify "Made in Hong Kong" items and trace their origins through a robust system, thereby enhancing consumer confidence.

Currently, shoppers at wet markets struggle to distinguish between local and imported goods. Mickey Lai emphasized that the new certification brand will establish a comprehensive traceability framework, ensuring quality from production and transportation to sale. This measure aims to prevent controversies like the earlier "Liu Ma Kee fermented tofu" incident, where the product was found not to be locally made. He noted that certification will initially be provided free of charge to farmers, with potential fees to be considered later based on circumstances. The AFCD will also proactively engage restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets to promote these branded products, hoping to elevate the competitiveness and value of local agricultural goods. Pricing will be determined by merchants, with the AFCD focusing solely on quality assurance rather than competing with low-cost imported alternatives.

Mickey Lai revealed that the brand name is still under discussion, aiming for something simple and memorable—akin to the "Q Mark"—so citizens can "buy with confidence and eat with peace of mind." Beyond enhancing the image of local agriculture, the scheme seeks to offer consumers more high-quality options while fostering the long-term sustainability of Hong Kong’s fisheries and farming industries.

Concurrently, the AFCD is advancing the "Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park" project in the Northern Metropolis, integrating ecological conservation with tourism development. Spanning an area five times larger than the existing Wetland Park, it will feature modern fish farming zones, bird-watching areas, and Hong Kong’s first eco-lodge. Mickey Lai stated that the project aims to balance conservation and leisure needs, with the eco-lodge designed to be environmentally friendly and avoid high-rise structures. Surveys are expected to conclude this year, with construction slated for 2026-2027 and the first phase opening as early as 2031, offering citizens and visitors a chance to enjoy nature.

Additionally, the AFCD is leveraging artificial intelligence to detect wild boars and ensure public safety. Mickey Lai noted that since new measures were introduced in 2021, the wild boar population has significantly declined, though citizen safety remains the top priority. These initiatives reflect the AFCD’s multifaceted efforts to advance local agriculture, ecological conservation, and tourism, aiming to create a better living environment and a shining tourism hallmark for Hong Kong.