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The number of live chickens from Mainland would be increased for seven days preceding the Lunar New Year to meet a surge in market demand during that period, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said today (January 22). The decision was made at the request of traders and after assessing the latest situation of avian influenza as well as balancing the festive demand for live chickens.
The wholesale import ceiling would be increased from 20,000 to 80,000 daily between January 30 and February 5. In other words, the additional live chickens would be available at retail outlets from January 31 to February 6 (Lunar New Year Eve).
The spokesman said that the Government has all along been adopting the practice of a temporary ease on the ceiling of live chicken imports during major traditional festive occasions, after assessing the risks of avian influenza, to meet the increase in demand for live chickens by members of the public and restaurants. These festive occasions included Lunar New Year, Tuen Ng Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Winter Solstice.
"The ceiling of live chicken imports announced today is merely the upper limit. Traders would import live chickens within this limit according to their actual requirements based on the sales situation. Similar arrangements were made last year.
"In this regard, we have already taken into account the testing capability of the relevant departments."
The spokesman emphasised that, in accordance with the consensus reached by the Government and the live poultry trade, traders would strictly abide by public health regulations and ensure that there is no overstocking of live chickens in the wholesale markets and retail outlets.
"Should there be any case of avian influenza infection of poultry or human in Guangdong or Hong Kong prior to or during this period, the Government will immediately suspend the above arrangement to increase live chicken imports," the spokesman added.
The Government would as usual closely monitor the situation at the wholesale market and retail outlets during this period when live chicken imports are increased, he added.
In addition, relevant government departments, including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police, will continue to strive to protect public health by deterring illegal import of poultry and birds from coming to Hong Kong.
The Government also called on members of the public not to illegally bring in any live poultry and bird into Hong Kong.
Ends/Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:06
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