*********************************************************
The daily quantities of imported live chickens from the Mainland could be further increased to between 18,000 and 20,000 on April 30 for another five days, subject to satisfactory testing results following the second phase of the pilot arrangement for the importation of live chickens, a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said today (April 28).
During the second phase (April 25 to 29) of the pilot arrangement, about 12,000 live chickens were imported daily from the Mainland to Hong Kong.
"We will further review the situation in early May. Subject to continuous satisfactory results obtained from the tests conducted on the imported chickens, the daily import quantities could be further increased to between 28,000 and 30,000 in the next phase of the pilot scheme," the spokesman said.
The above arrangements were made today following meetings between Hong Kong officials and the Ministry of Commerce and the State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
"At the meetings, the importation of day-old chickens was discussed. We expressed our wish to resume the importation of day-old chickens at the earliest possible date in order to alleviate the impact on the operations of the local poultry farmers. The Mainland authorities understood our situation and agreed to provide assistance," the spokesman said.
Hong Kong officials also took the opportunity to exchange views with the Mainland authorities on the inspection requirements for the importation of chilled pork. They were also informed by the Mainland authorities that currently there were no exports of pet birds to Hong Kong.
"As and when the Mainland resumes the export arrangement for pet birds, we will further discuss the health and quarantine arrangements for the importation of pet birds with the Mainland authorities," the spokesman said.
At present, chilled pork is imported mainly from Thailand and Australia. Only frozen, not chilled, pork is imported from the Mainland.
Ends/Wednesday, April 28, 2004
NNNN
