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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (February 12) announced a code of practice for pig farming to safeguard public health and minimise environmental nuisances.
The code covers farm management, movement of livestock, disease monitoring and prevention, the import as well as delivery of livestock.
Pig farms are required to observe proper procedures to dispose livestock waste and maintain good hygiene.
Speaking at a press briefing today, Assistant Director Dr Liu Kwei-kin said that views of the pig farming industry were being sought in a consultation exercise ending in May.
"We set the code together with the Environmental Protection Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department with the aim of helping local pig farms to attain higher husbandry standards, and to reduce the public health risks they posed to their neighbourhood,กจ he said.
"The requirements are also considered necessary to reduce environmental nuisances caused by pig farms.กจ
Dr Liu said breaching the code was subject to enforcement action and might incur penalty, including licence revocation.
There are 265 registered pig farms in Hong Kong. As at early February, the department has received 114 applications to surrender licences, which will cut their rearing capacity by 37% upon cessation of operation.
Ends/Monday, February 12, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:39
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