The live Mainland chicken import quota will be raised from June 16 to 18 to meet the surge in demand for the Tuen Ng Festival.

The Health, Welfare & Food Bureau said today that the daily limit will rise from 20,000 to 50,000. But the move will be suspended if human or poultry avian influenza infections are found in Guangdong or Hong Kong during the period.

According to past experience, the trade has committed to observing public health conditions strictly and ensured there was no overstocking of live chickens in retail outlets.

The Government cautiously decided to adopt last year's arrangement again in view of bird flu cases in the area, rather than lifting the quota further. The bureau reminded the trade and public to continue observing measures strictly to prevent bird flu during the festive period. The Government will closely monitor the situation at markets during the period.