Latest update: Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong briefs District Council chairmen and vice-chairmen on the prevention of avian influenza consultation document.

Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong says the Government will try its best to minimise any negative impact two strategic approaches on poultry sales may have on the trade.

Dr Yeoh today briefed District Council chairmen and vice-chairmen on the prevention of avian influenza consultation document.

He outlined the two major strategic approaches to achieve the policy objective - the cold chain approach and freshly slaughtered chicken approach.

A long-term goal

Dr Yeoh said the region's countries and areas must remain vigilant in surveillance and preventive efforts against H5N1, which has a very high risk of becoming endemic.

"The Government is committed to protecting the public from infection by avian influenza. Its long-term vision is to sustain the goal of 'zero infection and transmission' through minimising human contact with live poultry," he said.

"By launching the consultation exercise, we want to get public views on the strategic approaches that will help achieve this goal."

Feedback sought

Health, Welfare & Food Bureau officials will attend District Council meetings to explain the strategic approaches proposed and to listen to views and concern.

Letters have been sent to poultry traders, professional bodies and academics to garner feedback on the consultation document.

People are invited to give their views before the July 2 deadline.

The document can be downloaded from the bureau's website.