June 17, 2004

Hong Kong Increases Chicken Imports Before Chinese Festival

In order to meet the expected surge in demand on the Dragon-boat Festival which falls on June 22, the daily quantity of Chinese mainland live chicken imports in Hong Kong will rise by 10,000 for three days.

Hong Kong official said Wednesday imports will rise from 30,000 to about 40,000 between June 18 and 20. However, to ensure the hygienic standard of markets, daily imports will return to 30,000 after the three-day period.

In view of greater demand during the Chinese festivals, the Hong Kong Health, Welfare and Food Bureau and the mainland authorities have agreed to increase the quantity of live chicken imports.

The two sides have reached a consensus to step up inspection and quarantine measures during the period. Laboratory capacity will also rise to ensure the live chickens imported are healthy for consumption.

The bureau expects the importation of day-old chicks to resume before the end of this month.

All the necessary arrangements for the resumption have been made, including agreement with the mainland on the new inspection and quarantine arrangements as well as the inspection of the five registered mainland farms supplying day-old chicks to Hong Kong.