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The first two consignments of 9,510 frozen ducks imported from the Mainland today (April 29) since the suspension of poultry meat import from the mainland on January 30 have all passed the testing for avian influenza H5 virus.
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said samples were collected from each consignment upon arrival at Man Kam To for rapid screening testing for H5 virus.
"Results of laboratory tests confirmed this afternoon that all the samples were negative for the virus," he said.
The Department has started processing applications for import of frozen and chilled poultry since March 11. The import of frozen ducks from the Mainland resumed today after the Mainland authorities have been satisfied with the control measures taken by the relevant farms and plants to prevent avian influenza.
The frozen ducks have been released for sale.
Ends/ Thursday, April 29, 2004
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