Xie Zhanhuan: The goal is to issue the first round of permits for dogs to enter restaurants by mid-year to help the industry explore business opportunities

The Director of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, Xie Zhanhuan, attended a Legislative Council meeting and stated that the pet-friendly measures proposed in the Policy Address will allow operators to apply for permission for dogs to enter restaurants, with the goal of approving the first round of applications by mid-year. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will also begin adopting a new model in the first half of this year, in collaboration with various government departments, to expedite the approval of outdoor seating applications for restaurants, helping the industry to explore more business opportunities.

Xie Zhanhuan also mentioned that there will be a strong push for the development of the local food industry by deepening cooperation with the mainland to increase the types of Hong Kong-made food products approved for export to the mainland. Additionally, efforts will continue to promote local fisheries and agriculture according to the "Sustainable Development Blueprint for Fisheries and Agriculture," fully encouraging the industry to adopt modern farming and environmentally friendly production models, and to launch a new unified brand for local agricultural and fishery products, along with certification, testing, and traceability mechanisms to enhance the competitiveness of these products