The quantity of live chicken to be imported will be reviewed at the end of the month to see if adjustment is necessary, Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene Gregory Leung says.

Speaking on a radio talkshow today, Mr Leung said during a meeting with the State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine officials in Beijing earlier this week, both sides agreed the new import control measures are effective.

He said the Government will review and evaluate the measures and latest situation every two weeks, adding that overcrowded retail markets are not ideal for accommodating large quantities of chickens each day.

Improvements to market air quality being explored

Moreover, the department is exploring ways to further improve air quality inside retail markets to safeguard public health.

When asked when live duck and geese imports will resume, Mr Leung said the schedule has yet to be fixed as the Mainland authorities need time to observe the effect of bird flu vaccines on these birds.

He also stressed the Government has been closely monitoring food safety at all stages from import, wholesale to retail.

Every year, the department takes some 56,000 food samples for testing. This means an average of eight samples are taken per 1,000 people, one of the highest ratios in the world. Law amendments have also been proposed to enhance food labeling.

Mr Leung called on the trade and the public to co-operate with the Government, and contact the department immediately if there are suspected food problems.