Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme is meant to provide a basic safety net for those in need and cannot be compared with the welfare system offered in the West.

There may be room for adjusting the CSSAS in the wake of ongoing deflation, he said. The Government has not yet decided whether to change it. 

However, the cost of living has a bearing on the scheme, and now that prices are lower, it may make sense to adjust the amount of assistance to recipients.

In the last five years, CSSA expenditure has soared dramatically, Dr Yeoh noted. The Government, which finances the scheme with revenue from its low taxation system, might not be able to afford to maintain CSSAS at its present level.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Yeoh also responded to questions on chilled chicken and avian influenza.  He said while chilled chickens are well received in Hong Kong,  there are advantages to keeping live chickens in the market.

He said the Government had to strike a balance between meeting people's expectations and reducing the risk of avian flu.  

The Government's aim is to minimise the risk of a large scale outbreak of the so-called bird flu. Chicken-farm operators are encouraged to take biosecurity measures, while chicken wholesale and retail outlets have to be cleaned regularly.

Results of the pilot scheme to implement bird-flu  vaccinations would be announced in mid-2003, he said.