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Following is a question by the Hon Fred Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (June 10):
Question:
Some concern groups on animal interests have recently told me that some people who lack expertise in pedigrees and breeding of animals breed animals with genetic defects for sale as pets. People who buy such animals have to bear the high costs of curing animals, and the animals concerned also endure pain due to genetic diseases. It has been reported that the European Union had already stipulated that cats known as Scottish Folds should not be bred because of their genetic defects, and Japan had also stipulated that animals suffering from genetic diseases must not be bred. Moreover, the concern groups have also pointed out that the trading of animals on the Internet is becoming prevalent, but such activities are not subject to any regulation. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it will make reference to the practice of foreign countries and ban the breeding and sale of animals with genetic defects as pets in Hong Kong; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) it will set up a database to keep information on common genetic diseases and other illnesses among the animals being kept as pets, so as to enable the public to get hold of the relevant information before making a decision on buying or adopting animals, as well as avoid subsequent abandonment of the animals by the public due to animals' illnesses, which causes community problems; and
(c) it will regulate animal trading activities on the Internet; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(a) Pet shops in Hong Kong are already prohibited from selling sick animals, as required under the conditions of the licences issued under statue. Before making a decision on keeping a pet, members of the public may consult a registered veterinary surgeon so as to make the most suitable choice.
Whether an animal develops a hereditary disease or a common disease has no definite correlation with its species. Animals of the same species may not suffer from the same hereditary disease. In the case of Scottish Fold, according to the relevant literature, not all cats of this species suffer from symptoms of joint diseases. Only those with homozygous mutation in the genes will suffer from serious Osteochondrodysplasia. In fact, there is currently no international convention concerning the control over the breeding of animals with hereditary diseases, nor is there a clear trend in relation to whether such breeding is subject to regulation.
Generally speaking, it is difficult to predict the outcome of animal breeding precisely. As such, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has no plans to ban the breeding of particular species or types of animals, but will continue to keep in view relevant international developments.
(b) For the protection of public health and animal welfare, all animal traders, including animal breeding facilities and pet shops, are required to hold an animal trader licence issued by the AFCD and strictly observe the licensing conditions and the Code of Practice. As mentioned in part (a) of the reply, whether an animal develops a hereditary disease or a common disease has no definite correlation with its species. As such, providing a database on hereditary diseases and common diseases is not the most effective and reliable way to help the public decide which species are suitable for them to keep. Instead, the public should seek the advice of registered veterinary surgeons with regard to the health condition of the pets. In fact, the public may arrange for registered veterinarians to conduct health checks on pets prior to formal purchase. We understand pet shops generally provide such convenience for their customers.
We believe the most effective way to prevent people from abandoning animals is to bring home the message of responsible pet ownership. The AFCD has been endeavouring to promote responsible pet ownership through various channels and at different levels, including broadcasting Announcements in the Public Interest on television and radio and putting up posters on public transport. The AFCD has also produced promotional leaflets, posters and souvenirs for free distribution to the public. The AFCD had also organised an animal welfare roving exhibition in April this year. We must point out that according to the Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421), any person who does not properly control his/her dogs or abandons animals commits an offence. In the past three years, 570 such cases were prosecuted.
(c) Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Animal Traders) Regulations (Cap. 139B), regardless of whether such sale is conducted through the internet, a person shall not carry on business as an animal trader otherwise than under a licence and in accordance with the licensing conditions, or else he/she would be liable to prosecution. Such licensing conditions mainly include requiring dogs for sale to be vaccinated and licensed with the AFCD (or be implanted with microchip as required by the AFCD), and animal traders must provide suitable space for the animals. Even though pet owners are not required to apply for a licence and hence not subjected to the requirements in the licensing conditions, the AFCD will conduct in-depth investigation if any suspicious cases are found. Prosecution will be instituted when there is sufficient evidence. There have already been 22 cases of successful prosecution regarding illegal sale of animals in the past three years, three cases of which involved sale through the internet.
Ends/Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:34
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