Wild animal feeding ban area to expand to entire territory of Hong Kong tomorrow
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A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said, "Feeding is the main cause of the wild pig nuisance in recent years. To effectively control the wild pig nuisance, the Government needs to curb wild pig feeding activities, thereby reducing the incentives that attract wild pigs to linger in urban areas and near residential areas. In this light, it is necessary for the AFCD to expand the Feeding Ban Area to cover the entire territory of Hong Kong so as to step up the control of wild animal feeding activities, in particular the feeding of wild pigs."
In the first two weeks after the expansion of the Feeding Ban Area (between December 31, 2022 and January 13, 2023), AFCD staff will first give verbal warnings to members of the public who feed wild animals illegally. Enforcement action will follow should the person concerned continue the illegal action. Starting from January 14, 2023, no prior warnings will be given and enforcement action will be taken by AFCD staff should anyone be found feeding any wild animal illegally at any place in Hong Kong.
The spokesman said that, in accordance with the Ordinance, any person illegally feeding any wild animal in the Feeding Ban Area will be liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 upon conviction.
To ensure that members of the public are aware of the coverage of the expanded Feeding Ban Area and the relevant penalty, the AFCD will arrange advertisements on public transport vehicles (such as the exterior surfaces of buses, trams, minibuses) and stations or stops of public transports (e.g. bus stops, tram shelters, MTR stations) starting from the effective date of the Amendment Notice (December 31, 2022), and mount publicity campaigns at wild animal feeding black spots.
The spokesman said that the expansion of the Feeding Ban Area could reduce wild pigs' reliance on feeding by humans, thereby preventing them from appearing and causing a nuisance in the residential and public areas. To further enhance the overall deterrent effect, the AFCD will also amend the Ordinance to increase the penalty and introduce a fixed penalty for illegal feeding of wild animals, stepping up the efforts to curb wild pig feeding activities.
Ends/Friday, December 30, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:50
Issued at HKT 18:50
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