Public health is always the prime consideration in deciding when to resume live poultry imports, and the Government has made reference to guidelines by the World Organisation for Animal Health on the issue.

This was the message from the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Thomas Chan on a radio talk show today.

The international body has called for a three-month period before resuming live poultry imports from an infected zone after slaughter of the last bird flu case.

As the last farm outbreak in Guangdong took place on February 12, it will be safest to resume live poultry imports from the Mainland on May 12, he said.

On measures to lower the risk of bird flu, Mr Chan said apart from stepping up tests and inspections, the feasibility of separating wholesale markets for local and Mainland chickens is being explored.

Options to separate humans from live poultry, central or regional slaughtering will also be put forward for public consultation.

Local live chickens in wholesale markets sold out

Turning to the sale of local live chickens, Mr Chan said about 62,000 and 76,000 live chickens from local farms were put on sale in wholesale markets, and all were sold out.

The department is getting more information from the trade regarding the selling price, which is higher than usual, he revealed, adding that the price may be regulated according to market conditions.

On the unusual move to put 500 local live chickens on sale in retail outlets without going through the wholesale process a few days ago, Mr Chan said it aimed at preventing the accumulation of too many live chickens in local farms to safeguard public health.

The move also helped avoid wholesalers monopolising the markets.