The Finance Committee has endorsed $42 million in ex-gratia payments to operators directly affected by the suspension of live poultry imports from the Mainland.

The provision will benefit live poultry operators like wholesalers, retailers, transport operators and chicken farmers. The proposal was largely modelled on the package approved for the avian influenza outbreak in 2001.

Under the proposal, operators in Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department markets will get ex-gratia payments of $40,000 per stall while live poultry transport operators get $24,000 per lorry.

Ex-gratia payments of $30,000 will be granted to retailers operating in Food & Environmental Hygiene Department markets and to fresh provision shop licensees selling live poultry in Housing Authority or Housing Society premises. Those selling in private buildings will get $50,000.

$1.51 million reserved for chicken farmers

About $1.51 million has been reserved to provide ex-gratia payments to local chicken farmers in case the break in the production of chickens lasts three months or more.

The Government also proposes to retain 20% of the ex-gratia payments until the employers have discharged their responsibilities towards their employees.

The retained portion of the ex-gratia payments will be paid to wholesalers, retailers, transport operators and farmers concerned if they have satisfied either of the following conditions:

* no labour claim associated with this proposal has been lodged with the Labour Department by their employees within 30 days after approval of this proposal by the Finance Committee; or,

* no labour claim associated with this proposal and lodged with the Labour Department by their employees within the period mentioned above is unresolved one month after the claim has been lodged.