The Health, Welfare & Food Bureau has set up a review board for the Scheme of Voluntary Surrender of Live Poultry Retail Licences & Tenancies, which is expected to operate until the end of 2005.

The scheme applies to holders of fresh provision shop licences with endorsement to sell live poultry, or public market poultry stall tenants.

Up to September 15, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has received 173 applications for ex-gratia payments, of which 121 have been approved.

The Director for Food & Environmental Hygiene will make a final decision after advice from the board on applications for a review and any other doubtful cases related to applications for ex-gratia payments, renovation loans, retraining arrangements and one-off grants submitted under the scheme.

Anyone who wishes to apply for a review should submit an application in writing to the review board's secretariat at 44/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong. Enquiries can be made to the department's Special Duties Team at 2867 5211.

The board, with lawyers Chan Yiu-chong and Chan Bing-woon as chairman and vice-chairman, comprises other members from different sectors of the community, including accountants, lawyers and other professionals. It will meet as and when necessary to examine applications for reviews.