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Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, when meeting the media at the lobby of West Wing, Central Government Offices, today (February 18):
Secretary for Food and Health: The closure order of the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market will come to an end today. Trading of live poultry will resume after midnight. In view of the request from the general public and the live poultry trade, the Government is identifying suitable sites for the separate holding of imported and local live poultry while (avian influenza) test results are awaiting. As the establishment of such facilities will take time, the Government has decided to suspend the import of live poultry for slaughter and consumption. The import of day-old chicks as well as chilled or frozen poultry products will not be affected. We will review the progress of the relevant follow-up actions in around four months' time, and discuss with the relevant Mainland authorities the arrangements of live poultry supply to Hong Kong.
Reporter: (On identifying suitable sites for the separate holding of imported and local live poultry.)
Secretary for Food and Health: We have estimated that the planning, actual design and construction work of such a facility would at least take a few months' time.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:34
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