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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) smashed two illegal slaughterhouses in Yuen Long and seized 26 live pigs during a joint operation with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Environmental Protection Department and the Police early this (September 7) morning.

Raiding officers, led by FEHD's Chief Health Inspector Mr Tsang Tak-shing, broke into a suspected illegal slaugtherhouse which had been modified from four cargo containers in Mai Po at about 6 am.

At the same time, a second team stormed into another illegal slaughterhouse operating in a temporary structure at Shek Wu Wai Tsuen in San Tin.

Mr Tsang said: "Thirteen live pigs were found on each of the premises. A pot of hot water and a number of knives were also found. It was believed that illegal slaughtering were in progress."

All the live pigs were sent to the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse for further examination.

Mr Tsang warned: "Anyone operating an illegal slaughterhouse or possessing meat not from a lawful origin for sale will be prosecuted and liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and an imprisonment of six months."

"We will continue to take stringent enforcement action against all illegal slaughtering activities. Since January this year, we have mounted 11 blitz operations and smashed nine illegal slaughterhouses in the district," said Mr Tsang.

He called on members of the public to report such illegal activities to the authorities by calling the following hotlines:

Food and Environmental Hygiene Department 2868 0000

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department 2462

7443

Environmental Protection Department 2411 9600

All information will be kept confidential.

End/Thursday, September 7, 2000

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