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On reports that live poultry traders intend not to purchase live poultry tomorrow (April 20) to protest against the Administration's policy of maintaining the number of live chicken imports at 20,000 per day, the Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mr Eddy Chan, appealed to the traders today (April 19) not to take any drastic actions.
Mr Chan said that with the recent case of human infection in the Hubei Province, there was a continuing need for the Government to adopt a prudent and cautious approach in maintaining the current supply of Mainland chickens at around 20,000 a day.
"Regarding the possible accumulation of live poultry in the wholesale market, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will step up inspections at the wholesale market to ensure public hygiene standards are properly maintained.
"We will continue to maintain dialogue with the retail live poultry traders and appeal for their support and understanding in respect of the preventive measures that we have taken," he said.
Ends/Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:47
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