July 13, 2006

Rural residents in Hong Kong scuttle plans for poultry plant

Strong local opposition has forced the Hong Kong government to abandon plans to build a central slaughterhouse for poultry in Sheung Shui, Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food York Chow Yat- ngok said Wednesday (Jul 13).

He said the government is now looking for an alternate site but warned this could delay the badly needed central slaughtering plan beyond 2009.

The government is actively looking into alternative sites in the North District, Chow said.

Although there are alternative sites, they have more limitations that would delay the plans further, York said.

The central slaughterhouse plan is designed to separate poultry from humans to lower the risk from bird flu.

The government had originally selected a site adjacent to a sewage treatment plant in Sheung Shui because of its proximity to the mainland border which supplies poultry and because it had infrastructure such as a sewerage network, water and electricity supply.

At least four businesses have expressed interest in running the plant.

However, in early April, rural politicians threatened to stage a mass demonstration and later the North District Council vetoed the plan, saying it would represent a health hazard to nearby residents.