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The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) launched a public consultation today (October 3) on proposed measures to better regulate pet trading in the interest of enhancing animal health and welfare. The consultation exercise will last until November 30. Members of the public are invited to express their views.
A spokesman for the AFCD said, "The Government attaches great importance to safeguarding public health, animal health and animal welfare. Over the years, there has been growing awareness of issues related to animal health and welfare in the community. At the same time, there has been a rapid expansion of animal trading activities. The Government has recently reviewed the operation of the pet trade, the related enforcement action and legislation. We have identified a number of improvement measures."
The proposed improvement measures include:
(a) increasing the maximum penalty for illegal trading of animals from Level 1 ($2,000) to Level 6 ($100,000), and for breaches of licensing conditions of the animal trader licence from $1,000 to a Level 5 fine (i.e. $50,000), so as to more effectively deter animal traders and breeders from breaching the regulations;
(b) empowering the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation to revoke the animal trader licence if the licensee is convicted of offences related to cruelty to and maltreatment of animals; and
(c) requiring any person who sells dogs (including his own pet or the offspring of his pet) to obtain a licence or permit.
"We welcome views from the public and stakeholders. The Government will take into account the views received when finalising the relevant proposals," the spokesman said.
The consultation document may be downloaded from the FHB website (www.fhb.gov.hk) and the AFCD website (www.afcd.gov.hk), and will be available at the Public Enquiry Service Centres of District Offices from October 8.
Four consultation forums will be held for stakeholders and members of the public to express their views. Details are as follows:
Date : October 18 (Thursday)
Time : 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Venue: Lecture Hall of Sheung Wan Civic Centre
Date : October 20 (Saturday)
Time : 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Venue: Exhibition Gallery of Tuen Mun Town Hall
Date : October 29 (Monday)
Time : 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Venue: Lecture Hall of Hong Kong Space Museum
Date : October 31 (Wednesday)
Time : 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Venue: Lecture Hall of Hong Kong Space Museum
Members of the public may call 2150 7077 during office hours for seat reservations. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Members of the public may forward their views to us by post (Animal Management (Operations) Division of the AFCD, 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon), facsimile (3110 1336) or email (Cap139B_amendment@afcd.gov.hk) on or before November 30, 2012. For enquiries, please feel free to call 1823.
Ends/Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 11:01
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