Hong Kong Customs and its Mainland counterpart have stepped up cooperation to deter poultry smuggling at the control points, targeting both passengers and cargo.

Customs' Head of Control Points Command Ko Chi-lok said today the Department had strengthened cooperation with the Mainland, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, to deter poultry smuggling in view of the suspension of import of live poultry and birds from the Mainland for three weeks starting yesterday after a confirmed H5N1 human case in Shenzhen.

In a media briefing, Mr Ko warned those who smuggled live birds or poultry meat into Hong Kong could face prosecution.

"We have tightened examination of suspicious imported cargo and baggage at sea, land and air boundaries," Mr Ko said.

"In addition to front-line officers, Hong Kong Customs will deploy plainclothes officers to be on the lookout for law breakers," he said.

Under the Import & Export Ordinance,anyone importing unmanifested cargo, or importing prohibited articles such as frozen or chilled meat, poultry or birds without an import licence, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.

Under the Imported Game, Meat & Poultry Regulations of the Public Health & Municipal Services Ordinance, it is an offence to bring into Hong Kong any meat or poultry without an official certificate. The maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.