Backyard poultry keepers who lost their birds under the recent ban on the practice may soon get a reprieve, the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau says.

The feasibility of allowing them to continue rearing pet poultry is being explored. The move is being considered after calls from poultry owners for permission to keep their birds.

But due to the risk of avian influenza infection, owners must be prepared to ensure a very high standard of personal hygiene for their own protection. They must also take all necessary biosecurity precautions and avoid disturbing other people.

So far pigeons have not been infected by the H5N1 virus, so the suitability of issuing an exhibition licence is being considered, provided they comply with biosecurity requirements.

The bureau said the Heung Yee Kuk's filing of a judicial review against the ban does not constitute deprivation of property. With the threat of bird flu becoming more imminent, it is crucial the authorities enact emergency legislative amendments to ban backyard poultry. Should the Government decide to offer compensation, backyard poultry keepers might postpone the disposal of their birds until payment is made. This will go against the objective of banning backyard poultry as soon as possible.

The bureau said that in the event of an avian flu outbreak, it would jeopardise public health and deal a severe blow to the economy, the growth of which would shrink by more than half as projected by the Australian National University Lowy Institute for International Policy.