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Importation of day-old chicks from Mainland farms will resume by the end of this month, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said today (June 21).

A spokesman for the department said that following discussions with the Guangdong and Zhuhai authorities, supply of day-old chicks from the Mainland could resume very soon subject to the satisfaction of various inspection and quarantine requirements.

Local chicken farmers have been advised to place their orders. The first consignment is expected to reach Hong Kong before the end of this month.

The suspension of the import of day-old chicks has been in place since January 30 as a precautionary measure to protect public health following the announcement by the Mainland that suspected avian influenza cases had been found in some provinces.

Ends/Monday, June 21, 2004

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