Press Releases
Live chicken imports to increase for Tuen Ng Festival
Live chicken imports from the Mainland would be temporarily increased preceding
the Tuen Ng Festival to meet a surge in demand for live chickens during the
festive period, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said today (May 29).
The wholesale import ceiling would be increased from 20,000 to 50,000 chickens
daily between June 3 and 6. The additional live chickens would be available at
retail outlets from June 4 to 7.
The Government understands that live chicken is in great demand during major
traditional festive occasions and therefore put in place the practice of
temporarily easing the ceiling on live chicken imports during the Lunar New
Year, Tuen Ng Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Winter Solstice to meet the
increase in demand for live chickens by the public and restaurants. The decision
is made after assessing the risks of avian influenza.
The spokesman said: "The ceiling on live chicken imports announced today is
merely the upper limit. Traders will import live chickens within this limit
according to their actual requirements based on the sales situation. Similar
arrangements were made last year.
"In this regard, we have already taken into account the testing capability of
the relevant departments."
The spokesman emphasised that, in accordance with the consensus reached by the
Government and the live poultry trade, traders would strictly abide by public
health regulations and ensure that there is no overstocking of live chickens in
the wholesale markets and retail outlets.
"Should there be any case of avian influenza infection of poultry or humans in
Guangdong or Hong Kong prior to or during this period, the Government will
immediately suspend the arrangement to increase live chicken imports," the
spokesman added.
The Government would as usual closely monitor the situation at the wholesale
market and retail outlets during the period when live chicken imports are
increased, he added.
In addition, relevant government departments, including the Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police, will continue to
strive to protect public health by deterring illegal imports of poultry and
birds to Hong Kong.
The Government also called on members of the public not to illegally bring any
live poultry or birds into Hong Kong.
Ends/Thursday, May 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 12:56
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