The Health, Welfare & Food Bureau has proposed an ex-gratia payment for retailers who volunteer to stop live poultry trading permanently.

The proposed package aims to substantially reduce the number of retail outlets, in particular the very small ones that might not be able to incorporate the various improvement measures because of physical constraints.

The proposed formula is based on 27 months' average rental of live poultry stalls at Food & Environmental Hygiene Department markets drawing reference from the ex-gratia payment for the compulsory resumption of the Central Market, but enhanced by an additional 12 months rental taking into account that the retailer will not be allowed to re-establish another live poultry stall elsewhere.

Therefore, the total payout is 39 months' average stall rent.

Payment for small outlets further enhanced

The ex-gratia payment for small outlets will be further enhanced to encourage the surrender of licences or tenancies. An additional 25% for stalls up to 15 square metres (91 stalls) and 10% for those with an area over 15 to 25 square metres (425 stalls) will be offered.

A ceiling has been set for large outlets as they should be capable of implementing the various improvement measures for separating customers from live poultry.

There are 814 live poultry retail stalls in Hong Kong.

The Government will also provide loans of up to $50,000 or 40% of the refurbishment costs, whichever is less, on an unsecured basis to live poultry retailers who choose to continue operation, to make investment in upgrading their stalls to meet the new public health requirements.

Assistance offered to affected workers

Retraining and financial assistance will be provided to live poultry retail workers who will become jobless as a result of their employers ceasing operation under the proposed voluntary package.

Up to six weeks of retraining courses will be offered to those affected, to help them find employment in other sectors. Each worker taking full-time courses can receive up to $6,000 during the six-week retraining period.

Affected workers who remain unemployed after the six-week retraining period will each be provided a one-off grant of $10,000 to help them meet their financial needs.

The total amount of funding required for the proposed scheme is estimated to be about $239 million.

Meeting with retailers to be arranged

The bureau said the proposed package is in line with the Government's policy to minimise health risks at wet markets.

Food & Environmental Hygiene Department officers will meet retailers soon to explain the package and garner their views.

On the Government's policy on importation of day-old chicks from the Mainland, the bureau stressed it has not restricted the importation of the birds.

The Government has been in close contact with Mainland authorities on the early resumption of chick imports as well as other land-based poultry.