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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will strengthen monitoring of chicken deaths on farms in view of the spread of avian influenza in the region.
Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Mr Thomas Chan said that a daily door-to-door dead chicken collection service would be provided for farms starting tomorrow (February 5) until further notice.
The decision was made after a meeting between the AFCD and the New Territories Chicken Breeders Association.
Until now, farmers have left their dead chickens at animal carcass collection points for collection by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
"From tomorrow onwards, AFCD staff will go to each chicken farm daily to collect dead chickens for disposal," Mr Chan said.
"Our staff will look for any sign of abnormalities in terms of the number of dead chickens and symptoms of avian influenza in chickens. If abnormalities are identified in chickens, we will take samples for testing of avian influenza," he said.
The New Territories Chicken Breeders Association supports the measure. The AFCD will notify all farmers that beginning on Friday (February 6), they will no longer be allowed to dispose of dead chickens at animal carcass collection points. Any farm that contravenes the rule may have its licence revoked.
Mr Chan said that the AFCD would remain vigilant and continue to operate its surveillance system with a view to protecting public health.
Ends/Wednesday, February 4, 2004
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