January 23, 2007

Hong Kong to triple live chicken imports from China for Chinese New Year

Live chicken imports from the Chinese mainland will be increased for a short period just before the Chinese New Year, a spokesman for the Hong Kong Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said Monday (Jan 22).

The bureau made the decision after assessing the latest bird flu situation while keeping in mind the need for live chickens during the festive season.

According to the bureau, the ceiling of the daily live chicken imports from the Mainland would be increased from 20,000 to 60,000 from Feb 10 to 13 and to 80,000 from Feb. 14 to 16. The ceiling would return to 20,000 starting Feb 20, on the third day of the new-year. 

A decrease in supply of local chickens and the higher demand during the festival has prompted officials to raise the ceiling, despite the threat of bird flu.

The government would closely monitor the hygiene of live poultry in wholesale markets and retail outlets, making sure there is no overstocking of live poultry.

However, all poultry imports would be suspended if bird flu were detected in Guangdong or Hong Kong before or during this period.

The Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said it would work with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and Hong Kong Customs to crack down on smuggling of live birds during the Chinese New Year.