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The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau clarified today (May 7) that it was the government's intention to resume the import of day-old chicks as soon as possible. This was in response to poultry farmers' request for the early resumption.
"When we discussed with the relevant Mainland authorities to resume the importation of live chickens in April, we had clearly informed them that the import of day-old chicks could be resumed at the same time and that there would be no limitation on the quantity of day-old chicks to be imported," a department spokesman said.
In principle, importation of day-old chicks could have been resumed as early as April 20, the same day as live chickens were imported on a pilot basis.
"Hong Kong officials have met with the relevant Mainland authorities several times since April and conveyed the poultry farmers' request to resume importation of day-old chicks at the earliest possible time to help their operation.
"At our recent meetings with the relevant Mainland authorities, we were informed that the Mainland market was facing similar shortage in the supply of day-old chicks as production had been temporarily suspended during the avian influenza outbreak. Time was needed for the mainland hatcheries to resume production to a normal level prior to the outbreak. In this respect, Mainland officials agreed to provide assistance," the spokesman added.
The spokesman said agreement had already been reached with the Mainland authorities on the inspection and quarantine requirements for imported day-old chicks. After the Labour Day holidays, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department would contact the Mainland officials to arrange for farm visits to take place hopefully next week.
"We appeal to the poultry farmers to stay calm and not to take drastic action. We will continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland authorities for the early resumption of day-old chick imports," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, May 7, 2004
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