Relevant government departments have stepped up enforcement to stop the illegal importation of meat and live poultry into Hong Kong during the upcoming winter solstice.

A total of 363 cases were detected at the land boundary control points from November 1 to December 15. About 930 kilogrammes of pork, 470 kilogrammes of chicken and 240 kilogrammes of other kinds of meat including duck, beef and mutton - worth about $49,600, in total - was seized.

On Monday six kilogrammes of chicken, three kilogrammes of pork and four kilogrammes of mutton, worth about $390 in total, was seized from three arriving passengers at Lo Wu Control Point.

Departments including Food & Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation and Customs & Excise today reminded people they would face prosecution if they were caught bringing in illicit meat or live poultry.

People must obtain an official certificate or valid health certificate from the exporting country before importing meat or poultry into Hong Kong.