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The Government had changed the fee structure for animal/bird exhibition licence and the relevant amendment legislation came into operation upon gazettal today (July 7), a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said.
To regulate local pigeon racing activities under the existing legislative framework, amendments have been made to the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Exhibitions) (Amendment) Regulations to bring the keeping and exhibition of pigeons under proper biosecurity conditions and to ensure these birds are being taken care of from animal welfare perspective.
"Having regard to overseas experience and our veterinary assessment that the risk of an avian influenza outbreak in pigeons is low, the Administration decided to allow the keeping of racing pigeons provided they are kept in accordance with the necessary biosecurity requirements which may be imposed by the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation," the spokesman said.
Referring to the full cost recovery principle, the amendment regulation changed the fee structure for a licence issued under the Regulations. The fee shall be $2,720 if the total number of animals and birds does not exceed 20 and $9,700 if the total number of animals and birds exceeds 20.
Ends/Friday, July 7, 2006
Issued at HKT 10:23
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