A site next to Shek Wu Hui Waste Water Treatment Plant has been identified for the proposed poultry slaughtering plant, which will come into operation in 2009 at the earliest, the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau says.

With an area of about 10,500 square metres, it is part of a works site occupied by the Kowloon-Canton Railway for the development of the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line. But the site is due to be returned to the Government in the latter half of next year if there is no delay in the rail.

It is close to the boundary and local poultry farms, with the nearest residential area over 200 metres away. In identifying the location, the bureau wanted to avoid nuisance to residents. The site is also well served by an established transportation network and basic infrastructure like water, power and sewage facilities.

Private sector project

The slaughtering plant will be built and run by the private sector while the Government will play a regulatory role in its food hygiene.

It will operate yearlong with a daily slaughtering capacity of up to 40,000 chickens and 3,000 pigeons and other small sized poultry except water birds. Its capacity can be expanded for slaughtering up to 60,000 chickens.

Lorries with crates of chickens and other poultry will go to the plant direct from the boundary or local farms. The slaughtering process will start after midnight. Dressed poultry will be chilled, individually packed and tagged before distribution.

Brand building

While most of the slaughtered chickens will be chilled, it will be a matter for the operator to assess the technical feasibility and the market situation at that time to decide whether or not to provide freshly slaughtered chickens. To compete with imported chilled chickens and to enhance the plant's financial viability, the operator will have to establish a market niche and a well-established brand name for the slaughtering plant's products.

Environmental and traffic impact assessments will be conducted while control measures will be implemented to alleviate any possible nuisance. The plant is expected to be enclosed and comprise three major areas for holding live chickens, slaughtering and distribution. Lorries used for delivering live chickens will be fitted with feather-proof nets and will be cleaned after unloading within the plant. Dressed chickens will then be delivered to retail outlets by refrigerated vehicles.

Wastewater from the plant will be properly treated before discharge while solid waste will be handled in an appropriate manner. Air from the plant will be deodorised and filtered before emission. Silencers, acoustic lining or shields will be used as appropriate. 

Close dialogue

The bureau will consult the North District Council again after drawing up the mitigation measures. Close dialogue with the council and relevant rural committees will be maintained to take on board suggestions made as appropriate in the planning process.

As the site is currently zoned for industrial use, a zoning amendment will be made. Law revisions will be introduced to put in place a licensing regime that will specify the plant's hygiene standard, environmental control measures as well as the slaughtering and inspection processes.

After drawing up the broad development parameters, the bureau will invite expressions of interest to ascertain the market interest in the project. A formal tender exercise will then be conducted to invite bids from the private sector.