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Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after a meeting with local poultry traders today (February 24):
Reporter: (On contingency measure.)
Secretary for Food and Health: I have just met the representatives of the local poultry supply chain who are mainly dealing with imported poultry. They reflected strongly to me the desire to have the resumption of (the supply of) imported poultry to Hong Kong. We also discussed the various possible mechanisms to allow the resumption (of the supply) of imported poultry. We agree that we will concentrate on the exploration and design of a contingency measure (to deal with cases) in which Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market has to suspend operation for 21 days when positive specimens for avian flu are unfortunately (found) again after the resumption of the import of poultry from the Mainland. (We are exploring) whether there would be another place to accommodate chickens from local poultry farms for audit before allowing them to (go to) the retail market.
Reporter: (On compensation for the local poultry trade.)
Secretary for Food and Health: We have informed our representatives that the Government will conduct an assessment on the loss.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, February 24, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:03
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