Bio check: Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow inspects a Yuen Long poultry farm.

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow visited two poultry farms in Yuen Long today to inspect biosecurity measures and learn more about farmers' business situation.

Dr Chow first visited a poultry farm that makes use of enclosed farm sheds. The farm has installed an evaporative cooling system in poultry rearing.

He then visited a traditional poultry farm which has upgraded its biosecurity measures by adding disinfection facilities and installing sturdy and non-malleable bird nets to prevent wild birds from entering sheds.

Most local poultry farms rear poultry in traditional open or semi-open type sheds with complementary biosecurity facilities. Some farms have applied advanced technology, such as the use of enclosed farm sheds with an evaporative cooling system in poultry rearing. Both rearing modes can effectively reduce the risk of avian flu in poultry.

Dr Chow said: "I am pleased both traditional and more modernised poultry farms are willing to upgrade the biosecurity and hygiene measures that contribute to the effective prevention of avian flu."

Regarding the need to develop a poultry slaughtering centre, Dr Chow said the Government is conducting an overall risk assessment of avian flu and a commercial viability study. A decision will be announced soon.