Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow left for Beijing today to call on his Mainland counterparts to discuss issues of mutual concern.

During his three-day visit, Dr Chow will pay a courtesy call on the new Minister of Health Chen Zhu. He will also meet Ministry of Commerce officials and discuss the supply of live pigs and cattle.

Dr Chow will also visit the Ministry of Agriculture for an update on the prevention and control of avian influenza.

Director of Health Dr Lam Ping-yan, Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene Eddy Chan, bureau deputy secretaries Patrick Nip and Warner Cheuk, and Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang will accompany Dr Chow.