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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) patrol teams have started inspecting villages throughout the territory to enforce the ban on backyard poultry, which came into force today (February 13).
The enforcement operation follows the ban imposed to protect public health and reduce the risk of an avian influenza outbreak in Hong Kong. Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Dr Liu Kwei-kin urged villagers to co-operate fully with the patrol teams.
Dr Liu said about 750 villages and 300 squatter areas would be inspected in five to six weeks.
"Poultry found being kept illegally in households will be seized and prosecution against offenders will be considered subject to evidence," he said.
"We expect the public will recognise the necessity of our work and cooperate fully with our staff. Where necessary, police assistance will be sought," he said.
Under the legislative amendments to outlaw backyard poultry keeping, unauthorised keeping of chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons and quails is an offence with a fine of $50,000 to $100,000.
In the first day of operation, about 200 AFCD staff in 40 teams inspected 95 villages, seizing 71 chickens and 11 other banned birds from 12 households.
The birds will be disposed of in the AFCD command centres in Sheung Shui and Ta Kwu Ling.
Ends/Monday, February 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:21
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