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The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, this afternoon (October 8) visited the Food Safety Laboratory of the Government Laboratory in Pok Fu Lam to learn more about its food safety testing work.
Accompanied by the Government Chemist, Dr C M Lau, Dr Ko toured the laboratory of the Food Safety Laboratory and was briefed by the staff on how they support the work of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) by providing analytical and advisory services, such as food testing.
He then visited a farm in San Tin, Yuen Long, where a large number of chickens were found dead abnormally earlier, to inspect the operation and biosecurity measures of the farm. The farm has implemented improvement measures for its facilities in accordance with the AFCD's suggestions after the chicken death incident to ensure the health of chickens.
About 4,300 chickens were found dead in the farm in early August. Based on the test results, the clinical history and the findings of the investigation, the AFCD believes that the deaths were likely caused by heat stress as a result of ventilation system failure in the shed consequent to a power outage.
Ends/Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:42
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