Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Carrie Yau has pledged to consider concerns raised by the Heung Yee Kuk over the proposed Sheung Shui poultry processing plant.

She today briefed its members on the project and said the Government understands the concerns raised by them, North District Council members and residents about the plant's location.

"This is the first time Hong Kong has planned to develop a poultry processing facility, and residents' anxiety is understandable," she said, adding the Government will conduct an environmental impact assessment. It will also ask the plant operator to adopt environmentally-friendly designs and procedures.

The plant is expected to adopt an enclosed design and have installed proper facilities for sewage treatment and discharge, air sterilisation and deodorisation, and noise insulation and silencing, to minimise nuisance to nearby residents.