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The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, met with representatives of the live poultry trade this afternoon (March 5) to hear their views on the current suspension of importation of live poultry from the Mainland.

A number of issues were discussed at the meeting concerning the resumption of importation of chilled and frozen poultry from the Mainland as a matter of priority: the financial difficulties faced by the live poultry trade, the importation of fertile eggs and the development of local hatcheries to tide over the period during which there would be no importation of day-old chickens.

At the meeting, Dr Yeoh reiterated that the Government's first priority was to protect public health and ensure food safety.

"We must take into consideration the overall public interest of Hong Kong and strike a proper balance between public health considerations and the need to cater for the needs of the poultry trade.

"We are sympathetic to the plight of the live poultry operators. We are prepared to conduct further discussions with them to develop relief measures and other forms of financial assistance to help them overcome this difficult period.

"However, to protect public health, we are unable to resume importation of live poultry from the Mainland in the near future.

"International experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) have also agreed that it would be prudent for us to be cautious in our approach and that we should not proceed with haste on this matter," he said.

The Government understood the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) was currently giving consideration as to whether the existing guideline on the restriction for the import of poultry products from infected countries should be changed from 21 days to three months.

Dr Yeoh explained to the representatives of the live poultry trade that regardless of the fact whether the importation of live poultry from the Mainland would resume in the foreseeable future, it would be clear now that the present mode of operation of the live poultry trade would no longer be sustainable.

He made particular reference to the retail outlets where the public had regular contacts with live poultry and stressed that the Government firmly believed that segregating humans from live poultry can better protect humans from H5N1 infection. He also explained that it would be necessary to further upgrade the existing biosecurity standard for existing farms.

"We are aware that there may be a need to provide further financial assistance, such as low interest loans, to live poultry operators to tide them over this difficult period or to assist them to change to a new trade.

"We are willing to discuss with those live poultry operators who wish to cease their poultry business and see what special assistance needs to be put in place to facilitate their transition under an uncertain future and rapidly changing circumstances.

"To address the concern that during the interim period in which there would be no importation of day-old chickens, we encourage the local farmers to consider the importation of fertile eggs and the development of local hatcheries. We will provide whatever assistance that is needed to facilitate and encourage this new activity," Dr Yeoh said.

The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Thomas Chan, and the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Gregory Leung, were present at the meeting. Representatives of the trade included Legislative Councillors Mrs Selina Chow, Mr Tommy Cheung, Mr Wong Yung-kan and Mr Leung Fu-wah; poultry farmers, wholesalers, retailers and transporters.

Ends/Friday, March 5, 2004

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