The 20,000 daily import ceiling for Mainland live chickens should remain to avoid an accumulation of live poultry in retail and wholesale markets which may raise the risk of an avian flu outbreak, the Food & Health Bureau says.

In the face of the threat posed by bird flu to Hong Kong and its neighbouring areas, the bureau said the present approach is appropriate which can both protect public health and meet people's demands for live chickens.

The bureau will monitor the live chicken supply to Hong Kong and maintain close liaison with the trade. The number of imported live chickens from the Mainland will be suitably adjusted for major festive occasions to meet the stronger demand.

Long-term plan

To cut the risk of an avian flu outbreak in Hong Kong the bureau will build a poultry slaughtering and processing plant. When operational, all local and imported live chickens will be slaughtered there, separating humans from chickens.

Before then the bureau will not consider reviewing the current import limit for Mainland live chickens.

Government departments will work closely with their Mainland counterparts to curb illegal importation of poultry and birds. Traders should report any smuggling activities and not import poultry and birds that might incur the problem.