Burying pig carcasses may not necessarily lead to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease because the acid and heat released during decay may inactivate the virus, the Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food says.

Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong told lawmakers that the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has set up a total of 73 pig carcass collection points in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and the North District to help farmers dispose of pig carcasses properly. 

It has engaged contractors to collect pig carcasses from these points on a daily basis - sometimes two or three times daily, depending on the number of dead pigs - and deposit them at landfills. 

To ensure that pig farmers use the collection points, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department regularly informs pig farmers of the collection points' locations.

Improper dumping may lead to licence revocation

Any improper dumping of carcasses may lead to prosecution under the Public Cleansing & Prevention of Nuisances Regulations. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and six months' imprisonment. 

It is also a condition in the licence the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department issues for the rearing of livestock in Hong Kong that the licensee comply with the statutory requirements for the disposal of dead animal carcasses.

Repeated improper dumping of carcasses may also lead to the revocation of the farm licence.

Farmers are also prohibited by law from burying any carcass in their farms. Offenders are liable to a fine of $2,000. 

Steps to prevent foot-and-mouth outbreak

To prevent an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department staff conduct regular inspections to local pig farms.

They also randomly collect blood samples from local and Mainland pigs at the slaughterhouse to test for the presence of the disease.