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A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (December 17) reminded members of the public not to bring in live poultry without a valid health certificate or they might face prosecution.
A shipment of live chickens without any valid health certificate was found on a wooden vessel near Yuen Long Creek by the Marine Police and a total of 1,400 live chickens and 130 silky fowls in 110 cages were handed over to AFCD today.
The poultry of unknown source was transported to AFCD's operational centre in Ta Kwu Ling. After taking samples for testing, all the poultry had been humanely put down.
Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulation of Cap 139, any person who imports live poultry without a valid health certificate issued by the veterinary authority in the country of export is liable to a fine of $25,000 and forfeiture of such animals.
In the first 11 months of 2007, the department seized some 500 chickens illegally imported into Hong Kong.
AFCD will step up inspection of all local chicken farms and continue to work closely with the Customs and the Police to combat the illegal smuggling of poultry to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreak brought by imported poultry and birds that had not gone through inspection and quarantine.
Any information on cases concerning illegal keeping or smuggling of poultry can be reported through the government hotline 1823.
Ends/Monday, December 17, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:12
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