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In response to press enquiries, a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food confirmed today (May 24) that the importation of game meat derived from civet cats had been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure.
The spokesman said: "Under existing legislation, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene is empowered to ban the importation of game meat derived from civet cats for the protection of public health. We will study the new findings and consider if the ban should continue."
As for the importation of all types of live civet cats, the spokesman said it had not been allowed since 1994 for disease control purpose.
"We have no intention of relaxing this rule," he said.
The spokesman called on the public to refrain from having contacts with wild civet cats and other wild animals as zoonotic diseases could be contracted through contacts with animals.
"Members of the public are advised to wash their hands thoroughly if they have contacts with wild civet cats and other wild animals.
"But there is no cause for alarm as wild civet cats are nocturnal and solitary animals and are seldom seem in Hong Kong," the spokesman added.
End/Saturday, May 24, 2003
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