Inspections of pig farms may be stepped up from monthly to once every two weeks while more samples will be taken for bird flu tests to strengthen monitoring.

This was the message from Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Thomas Chan, who said that the department would also boost communication with pig breeders.

Speaking on a radio talkshow today, Mr Chan noted that none of the 2,000 or so samples taken from pigs last year tested positive for bird flu virus.

On the resumption of sale of local live chickens, Mr Chan said to avoid overstocking wholesale and retail poultry outlets, the Government had to decide on the number of chickens released.

Number of chickens released may be adjusted

A total of 80,000 chickens have been released since January 6, and the number released in the coming days may be adjusted depending on demand.

Mr Chan stressed that the move had been made under special circumstances and that the Government had no plan to interfere with the market operation.

Meanwhile, the department has stepped up monitoring of some 150 local chicken farms to get first-hand information about the health condition of chickens and to inspect biosecurity measures taken by farm owners.

Bird Garden under close watch

About 1,000 dead chickens were collected on both January 5 and 6, Mr Chan said, adding that the situation remained normal as the number of deaths was lower than 4% of the total number of chickens raised locally.

Inspections of the Bird Garden in Mong Kok have also been strengthened, with the number of samples taken daily for bird flu tests increased to 20. 

Mr Chan called on the the public to observe good personal and environmental hygiene, and avoid contacting and feeding live birds.