Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong has outlined a series of measures to resume live chicken supplies.

Addressing legislators today, he estimated our live chicken stocks, about 2.14 million, will only be able to satisfy an average daily demand of about 30,000 chickens for about two months.

In the light of the spread and severity of avian flu outbreaks in the region, the Government does not envisage the importation of live poultry, including day-old chickens, from places affected by avian influenza, resuming in the near future.

To replenish chicken supplies, the Government is considering methods like importing fertile eggs to local chicken farms.

Priority consideration will also be given to the resumption of chilled and frozen poultry imports, as the regional outbreak situation eases off.

Interim measures proposed

Dr Yeoh proposed interim measures to be taken during the period in which there is no supply of imported poultry from the Mainland and invited suggestions on issues relating to further public consultation on avian flu prevention.

The measures include resumption of importation of chilled and frozen poultry when the outbreak eases off; importation of fertile eggs for hatching at local farms; and separation of humans and live poultry.

He said the Government recently sought the views of academics and experts and gained their support on the risk management of avian flu, including the resumption of chilled and frozen poultry meat from approved Mainland farms and the importation of fertile eggs and development of local hatcheries to tie over the period in which there is no importation of day-old chickens.

Since chilled and frozen poultry impose relatively lesser risk to human health, priority consideration will be given to resumption of chilled and frozen poultry imports, as the regional outbreak situation eases off.

The Government will assess the risks and draw reference from the recommendations from the World Health Organisation and World Organisation for Animal Health in considering lifting the restriction on imports from affected areas.

Eggs to be checked

Dr Yeoh said to ensure avian influenza viruses will not be introduced into Hong Kong by fertile eggs, a system will be put in place to control and monitor local hatching operations.

Eggs will be required to be sanitised in the place of origin before entering Hong Kong. Sanitation of eggs must comply with the requirements set up by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department.

The department will only allow licensed chicken farms to source day-old chickens from approved hatcheries.

The department will provide financial aid to farmers who intend to invest in and develop their hatching operations.

The Government will review the regulatory framework for the licensing of local poultry farms to ensure the highest standards of farm biosecurity possible to prevent the incursion of the virus into the farms.

Health hazard cannot be ignored

Dr Yeoh said ensuring public health and maintaining the safety level of food consumed by the public is the Government's top priority.

Hong Kong's preventive measures have proven effective so far in achieving zero H5N1 infections, however, the outbreak situation in the region strongly suggests the problem will be recurrent for the next few years.

"We cannot ignore the potential public health hazard that could be caused by avian influenza viruses. In Hong Kong, apart from members of the trade who are in frequent contact with live poultry, consumers can also come into close contact with live poultry easily because it is sold in retail outlets," he said, adding Hong Kong's crowded living environment further amplifies the risk.

"Hence, the most effective way to minimise the health risk posed by avian influenza is to reduce as much as possible the contact between the public and live poultry. The community needs to consider if live poultry should continue to be sold in retail outlets."

The Government will consult the public on the policy objective of separating humans and live poultry and this may include central or regional slaughtering as a means to achieve the policy objective.

Gov't to aid the industry

Dr Yeoh said the Government is aware of the need to provide a package of relief measures and financial assistance, such as low interest loans to the poultry farms, wholesalers, retailers and transporters in order to help them to tie over this difficult period.

The Government will waive half the rental charge of all live poultry stalls in its wholesale markets and its wet markets for three months. Wholesalers and retailers who have ceased to operate their business for 30 consecutive days or more during the concessionary period, will be granted the remaining 50% waiver in rent.

Licensees of fresh provision shops selling live poultry in private premises during the concessionary period will be given a $5,000 ex-gratia payment.

For fresh provision shop licensees selling live poultry in private premises who have ceased to operate their business during the concessionary period, they will be granted an additional ex-gratia payment of $5,000.