The cap for live chicken imports from the Mainland will be raised on February 10 for a week to meet the Chinese New Year demand, the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau says.

The ceiling will go up from 20,000 to 60,000 from February 10 to 13, and to 80,000 from February 14 to 16. It will return to 20,000 starting from February 20 after poultry wholesalers' holidays and market rest days.

The decision has taken into account several factors, including a fall in the supply of local chickens, the risk of avian flu in the region, and the higher demand for live chickens during the Chinese New Year. This can balance the actual demand for live chickens and the risk of avian flu and maintain a stable price for live chickens.

Traders should import live chickens within this limit according to their actual need based on the sales situation. They must prevent overstocking live chickens in the markets.

Extra attention will be given to live poultry wholesale markets' and retail outlets' hygiene and any live poultry overstocking. Adjustments will be made if necessary.

If an avian flu infection is found in people or live poultry in Guangdong or Hong Kong prior to or during this period, the arrangement will be suspended. Relevant departments will also crack down on live-bird smuggling.