The current acute shortage of baby formula products in Hong Kong, blamed on excessive hoarding by parallel traders and malpractices by some retailers, has sparked panic and much public anxiety. Hoards of mainland visitors trudging to trains and buses with cartons of goods on trolleys are an everyday scene in Sheung Shui, Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long close to the border. The ever-increasing demand for baby milk powder, which has driven prices sky high, has become a major source of tension between Hongkongers and mainlanders.

It's encouraging to see the government swing into action to resolve the baby milk powder crisis. On an RTHK program, Secretary for Food and Health Ko Wing-man said on Wednesday that the government is mulling a basket of measures, likely to be implemented in a few days, to combat parallel trading activities. It would include strengthening law enforcement against parallel traders to ensure an adequate and uninterrupted supply of infant formula to local residents.

Unscrupulous retailers engaged in hoarding and other malpractices will also be targeted. Authorities on both sides of the border will also step up co-ordination to combat parallel trading. Chief Executive CY Leung has said that through coordination with the mainland, Hong Kong can help guarantee that local mothers will be able to obtain baby milk formula without hindrance. Executive Councillor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee suggested on Tuesday that legislation be put into place to have baby formula products covered by the Reserved Commodities Regulations, so that passengers could only take a small quantity of these products out of Hong Kong, say, no more than two cans.

Whatever the new regulations might be, we can be sure that with strong public consensus and the resolve of the SAR government, this livelihood issue that has been plaguing Hong Kong and triggering acrimony among the local community can be tackled appropriately.

Meanwhile, we despise any attempt by politicians to politicize the issue by stoking sentiments against mainland tourists. We believe that Hong Kong will reap tremendous benefits from increased exchanges with the mainland.

(HK Edition 01/31/2013 page9)