The Mainland will implement arrangements on the strengthened control of batch numbers and identification marks for exported poultry eggs and the issuance of health certificates for eggs on January 1. Most of the consignments of poultry eggs issued with health certificates will arrive in Hong Kong a few days later.

This is because Mainland eggs come from different provinces while many Mainland manufacturers and local wholesalers will be on holiday on New Year's Day.

The State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine announced a series of measures to step up control on poultry eggs on November 28. Since then, its has implemented a listing regime for egg farms and required entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureaux in various provinces and municipalities to test for Sudan dyes in poultry eggs prior to export.

The Health, Welfare & Food Bureau said the measures will aid the trade to import eggs from quality assured channels and help enforcement agencies trace the source of eggs more effectively.

After the implementation of health certificate issuance, the bureau will proceed to enact legislation to regulate the import and sale of poultry eggs and plan to propose legislative amendments to lawmakers in three months. Meanwhile, poultry eggs sold in local markets will be inspected to ensure food safety.

The trade should procure products from manufacturers and exporters complying with the requirements of the Mainland authorities.