A total of 159 operators of live poultry stalls in public markets have terminated their tenancies under the ex-gratia payment scheme for those who voluntarily surrender their licences, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says.

He told lawmakers today a total of 13 public markets managed by the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department now have no live poultry stalls, and six of these have never had them.

Of 43 markets in public housing estates that do not now have any live poultry stalls, four have never had them.

"To minimise human contact with live poultry and in the light of the availability of live poultry stalls in other FEHD markets in the vicinity, we will not provide live poultry stalls at the new Wan Chai Market in Wan Chai District and Aldrich Bay Market in Eastern District.

"Generally, live poultry stalls in public markets are not too densely located. At present, there are 286 live poultry stalls in public markets. The Administration has no plan to allow existing live poultry stall operators to shift to continue their business in public markets without live poultry stalls."