Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse to resume operation tomorrow
*******************************************************
Meanwhile, the Government has been notified by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) that the importers may resume importing Mainland live pigs into Hong Kong.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) declared SSSH as an infected place upon detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in a pig sample collected therein on May 10, and, in accordance with the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations (Cap. 139A), ordered culling of all pigs in the slaughterhouse to minimise the risk of spread of the virus. Supply of live pigs from the Mainland has since been suspended.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has carried out comprehensive cleansing and disinfection in the slaughterhouse and finished the work today (May 18).
To prevent ASF, control and surveillance at source are of utmost importance. As a result of the detection of ASF, preventive measures against ASF have been further strengthened.
The GAC has been exercising stringent inspection and quarantine measures with respect to Mainland live pig supply to Hong Kong. All pigs must come from registered pig farms supplying Hong Kong and be segregated for 15 days to ensure the pigs are free of ASF symptoms before they are discharged from the farms. Monitoring and inspection will be conducted at all checkpoints during transportation as well as in and out of the Qingshuihe transfer house located in Shenzhen. Pigs showing abnormality at any stage will not be supplied to Hong Kong.
The FEHD at Man Kam To Control Point will also ensure that all Mainland live pigs arriving in Hong Kong are accompanied with valid health certificates issued by the Mainland Customs. The FEHD will closely monitor the health conditions of live pigs entering Hong Kong. For pigs with ASF symptoms, ASF-test will be immediately performed by the AFCD.
It is an internationally recognised practice to carry out ASF screening among live pigs through inspection of clinical symptoms. On top of the current inspection mechanism, the Government will strengthen the inspection on pigs before they are admitted into the slaughterhouse. ASF-test will be conducted on any dead pigs found.
Regarding local supply of live pigs, the AFCD has been implementing various preventive measures against ASF. Pig farmers are required to adopt proper biosecurity measures; strictly control the vehicles and personnel entering pig farms; enhance cleansing and disinfection of vehicles and personnel entering and leaving pig farms as well as carefully handle excrement.
ASF will not infect humans and pose food safety risk. Well-cooked pork is safe for consumption.
Ends/Saturday, May 18, 2019
Issued at HKT 20:00
Issued at HKT 20:00
NNNN