Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ6: Disposal of pig carcasses died of foot-and-mouth disease

Following is a question by the Hon Choy so-yuk and a reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (February 18):

Question:

It has been reported that quite a number of pigs in Yuen Long and Kam Tin areas have died of foot-and-mouth disease. Under the relevant legislation, pig carcasses have to be properly wrapped and covered with disinfecting powder, and be disposed of only at specified pig carcass collection points. However, some pig farmers just dug pits in their farms to bury such pigs, and the disposal of carcasses in such a way may help the disease to spread. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) how it ensures that pig farmers will transport pig carcasses to the pig carcass collection points in accordance with the law;

(b) whether there is any chance for the carcasses of pigs which died of foot-and-mouth disease to spread the disease if they are not properly treated before being buried in the pits dug by pig farmers in their farms; and

(c) of the measures the authorities have in place to curb the spread of the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) Under section 10 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulations (Cap 132 Sub Leg), any improper dumping of carcass may lead to prosecution. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and six months' imprisonment. It is also a condition in the relevant licence issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for the rearing of livestock in Hong Kong that the licensee is required to comply with the statutory requirements for the disposal of dead animal carcasses. Repeated offences of improper dumping of carcass may also lead to the revocation of the farm licence.

To facilitate farmers to dispose of pig carcasses properly, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has set up a total of 73 pig carcass collection points in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and the North District. Contractors are engaged to collect pig carcasses from these points on a daily basis and deposit them at the landfills. For collection points with a larger amount of pig carcasses, FEHD would step up the frequency of collection to two or three times a day. To ensure that pig farmers use the collection points, the AFCD regularly informs pig farmers of the location of the collection points and contact numbers of FEHD's district offices. Pig farmers are reminded to dispose of their dead pigs in the collection points, or they will be prosecuted and may have their farm license revoked.

(b) Under section 36 of Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations (Cap 139 Sub Leg A), no carcass of an animal or bird shall be buried, except under the supervision of the senior veterinary officer or of an inspector acting under his instructions. The regulation covers anywhere inside and outside a farm. Contravention of this section is liable to a fine of $2,000. As such, farmers are prohibited by law from burying any carcass in their farms. In respect of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease through burying pig carcasses, the acid and heat released from decaying pig carcasses may inactivate the foot-and-mouth disease virus, thus burying of pig carcasses may not necessarily lead to the spread of the disease.

(c) Foot-and-mouth disease is an endemic disease in local pigs for over 50 years and it occurs during the winter months. Staff of AFCD conduct regular inspections to local pig farms to monitor possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. In addition, AFCD regularly reminds farmers to maintain good farm hygiene and enhance farm management. It also provides them with advice on foot-and-mouth disease vaccination before autumn every year. Farmers are fully aware of the preventive measures of the disease. Furthermore, blood samples are collected randomly from local and Mainland pigs at the slaughterhouse to test for the presence of FMD and other diseases.

Ends/Wednesday, February 18, 2004
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