The daily quota of imported live Mainland chickens will not be raised before Winter Solstice because of the continued outbreaks of avian influenza cases in the Mainland, the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau says.

Urging the public and the trade to understand its decision, the bureau said the continued outbreaks in the Mainland have made it difficult for the Government to suspend the import limit.

The Ministry of Agriculture told the bureau there is still the possibility of sporadic outbreaks of bird flu cases in the Mainland during winter and early spring, and it is fighting an uphill battle to prevent and control the disease.