*********************************************
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has issued six warnings to pet bird shops in the Bird Garden over the past few days for contravening the animal trade licence conditions amid more frequent inspections to ensure proper precautions have been taken against any outbreak of avian influenza among pet birds for sale.
A department spokesman said today (October 28) that inspections of the 70 stalls in the garden had been stepped up to daily visit, adding that traders should strictly comply with the licence conditions or risk facing prosecution or revocation of their licences.
"In view of the current bird flu outbreak in our neighbouring areas, bird traders and workers are reminded to wear gloves when cleansing bird cages and bird droppings, and to remove excreta and waste matter from the licensed premises not less than once a day," he said.
Under the licensing requirements, a trader can only keep birds for the purpose of his business in licensed premises and must maintain the housing facilities in a clean and sanitary condition.
"All dead birds and faeces must be wrapped in plastic bag and disposed of properly at the nearest refuse collection point. Live birds must never be dumped or abandoned, and any unusual death should be reported to the AFCD for investigation," the spokesman said.
More than 200 swab samples are collected from local pet bird stalls each month to test for avian influenza viruses, including those of the Bird Garden. Test results were all negative.
Presently, a special permit must be obtained from the AFCD for importation of live pet birds into Hong Kong. The department only issues permits to countries where there is no evidence or suspicion of highly pathogenic avian influenza being present.
The spokesman said birds to be imported have to undergo at least 14 days pre-export quarantine and be tested for H5 and H7 during the quarantine period before shipment.
"The birds must be examined by an official veterinarian and certified as free of evidence of infectious disease before shipment," he said.
"On arrival in Hong Kong, birds from countries that had a previous history of avian influenza but have since been declared free by OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) or birds from countries bordering infected countries, are subjected to hold and test before release. These birds are held at AFCD facilities until a negative result is available."
Regarding pet birds imported from the Mainland, the spokesman said at present they were only supplied from two registered pet bird farms in Guangdong Province, which had been inspected by AFCD officers.
"The quarantined birds are tested five days prior to shipment and accompanied by a veterinary health certificate detailing the test results. On arrival, each consignment will be tested by AFCD officers," he said.
Of the more than 200 tests on samples from imported pet birds done over the past nine months, none contained avian flu viruses.
The spokesman reiterated that the Government shared the public's concern on the disposal of dead birds.
"Clear directive has been issued to appoint AFCD as the overall in charge to provide a one-stop service to the public at this critical period," the spokesman said.
On smuggling of poultry and pet birds, the spokesman said: "We will not tolerate any undeclared import of poultry and pet birds. To this end, the Customs and Excise Department and our staff will step up our action against such activity."
Ends/Friday, October 28, 2005
Issued at HKT 21:03
NNNN
