August 17, 2004

Hong Kong To Increase Live Chicken Imports For Mid-Autumn Festival

Hong Kong's Health, Welfare & Food Bureau will increase the daily supply of imported live chickens - from 30,000 to 35,000 - from August 16 to September 30, to ensure an adequate supply during the Mid-Autumn Festival period.

The temporary measure aims to keep up with the increased demand for fresh chicken during the festival.

The Mainland authority has recently announced Anhui Province is no longer an avian influenza infected area and time is needed to build up supply from local farms.

Appropriate precautionary measures will be taken to ensure public health is not compromised despite the increase in the number of live chickens in the markets.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the daily number of imported live chickens from the Mainland will be scaled back to 30,000 on October 1.