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The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said today (July 2) he was satisfied with the arrangements for the resumption of trading of live poultry.
Dr Chow thanked the traders for their co-operation and the public for their support.
"This has facilitated the smooth implementation of no live poultry at retail outlets overnight from the outset."
Dr Chow explained that for public health reasons, the Government had to prohibit the stocking of live poultry at retail outlets overnight to minimise the risk of virus accumulating in the environment of the retail outlets.
He also said that with the threat of avian influenza, the Government had to adopt the new policy of no overnight stocking of live poultry at retail outlets before the implementation of separation of humans from live poultry. He called on traders to thoroughly cleanse and disinfect the retail premises and related facilities every night, to strictly adhere to existing control measures and to fully co-operate with the Government. Trading of live poultry should be conducted in a safe and hygienic environment, he said.
As regards the buy-out proposals, Dr Chow said, " The live poultry trade has expressed the view that implementation of the ban on overnight stocking will seriously affect their operation. The Government has proposed a package for live poultry traders who will choose to surrender their licences or tenancies. There is a limit to the amount of ex-gratia payments and there is not much room for adjustment. I hope the traders will consider the package carefully and practically.
"We know that some traders may choose to continue with their operation. However, they should bear the operational risks should there be any outbreak of avian influenza and business disruption in the future."
The detection of avian influenza virus in environmental samples in four markets on June 11 prompted the Government to suspend live chicken retail operation for 21 days. Trading of live poultry resumed today.
Ends/Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:28
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