Agriculture and Fisheries (constituency) facts for kids

The Agriculture and Fisheries is a special group, called a functional constituency, that helps elect people to the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. This group was first created in 1998. It was formed from an older group called "Agriculture, Fisheries, Mining, Energy and Construction" which existed in 1995. This constituency is made up of organisations that work in agriculture (farming) and fisheries (fishing).

What is the Agriculture and Fisheries Constituency?

The Agriculture and Fisheries constituency is a way for people involved in farming and fishing to have their voices heard in Hong Kong's government. It's like a special voting group for these important industries. When elections happen, only members of approved agriculture and fisheries organisations can vote in this constituency.

What is a Functional Constituency?

In Hong Kong, some members of the Legislative Council are chosen through "functional constituencies." These are different from regular elections where everyone votes for a person in their local area. Instead, functional constituencies represent specific jobs or groups in society. For example, there are constituencies for teachers, lawyers, or business owners. This system makes sure that different parts of Hong Kong's economy and society have a say in making laws.

How Does the Legislative Council Work?

The Legislative Council of Hong Kong is like a parliament or a law-making body. Its main job is to create, change, and approve laws for Hong Kong. Members of the Legislative Council, often called LegCo members, also discuss important issues and make sure the government is doing its job well. The people elected from functional constituencies, like Agriculture and Fisheries, become part of this important council.

A Look at Its History

The Agriculture and Fisheries constituency has a history that goes back to 1995. Before it became just "Agriculture and Fisheries," it was part of a larger group. This older group included mining, energy, and construction, along with farming and fishing. In 1998, the group was changed to focus only on agriculture and fisheries. This change helped to give a clearer voice to these two specific industries in Hong Kong.

Who Does This Constituency Represent?

This constituency represents the people and organisations that are key to Hong Kong's food supply.

• Agriculture: This includes farmers who grow crops, raise animals, and manage land for food production. Even though Hong Kong is a big city, there are still farms that produce fresh food.
• Fisheries: This includes fishermen and organisations involved in catching fish, seafood farming, and related businesses. Fishing has always been an important part of Hong Kong's history and economy.

By having their own representative, these groups can make sure that laws and policies support their work. This helps to protect their livelihoods and ensure that Hong Kong continues to have local food sources.