Horse import arrangements for 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events announced
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The Government today (March 27) announced import arrangements for horses participating in the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events to be held in Hong Kong.

Speaking at a press conference to announce the import arrangements, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow said Hong Kong had the experience and credentials in equine health.

"Hong Kong has an overall advantage in organising the events given its extensive experience in horse racing, its status in equine health and its world renowned regulatory framework for equine diseases which is well understood by the international community.

"As the animal health authority in Hong Kong, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is responsible for the inspection and quarantine of equestrian horses participating in the Events," Dr Chow said.

Also speaking on the arrangements, the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mrs Stella Hung, said the import health requirements for equestrian horses had been worked out after consultation with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

"According to the arrangements, horses for the Events will be imported from various countries via quarantine stables located around several designated transportation hubs," Mrs Hung said.

"Imported horses will be required to undergo a period of seven days pre-export quarantine in overseas quarantine stables and 10 days of post-arrival isolation in Hong Kong.

"To ensure that exotic diseases of concern are not introduced by the imported equestrian horses to Hong Kong’s equine population and to prevent the spread of diseases between competing horses in the events, all imported equestrian horses will be inspected and quarantined and should show no clinical signs of diseases, and undergo relevant tests and vaccinations before entering Hong Kong.

"These imported equestrian horses shall be accompanied by health certificates issued by the veterinary authority of the exporting places.

"AFCD will issue special permits for the importation of these equestrian horses. Applications for the permits will be processed six month prior to the Events.

"We will review the arrangements to take into account prevailing equine disease conditions in other countries and places and introduce relevant arrangements when necessary."

Details of the horse import arrangements will be uploaded onto AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk) for general information.

Ends/Monday, March 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:13

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