ENG-2007 — Page 232

184 Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

All live birds imported to Hong Kong have to be tested for avian influenza. Birds imported from places near infected areas are quarantined and examined before being released to their importers.

Hong Kong continues to observe strict rules to protect humans, local poultry farms, wholesale and retail markets from avian influenza. The measures include stepped-up monitoring of biosecurity in farms and markets, universal vaccination of chickens against the disease and intensive surveillance of all birds entering, or already, in Hong Kong.

Blood samples and/or faecal swabs are collected on a regular basis from birds in all poultry farms, wholesale and retail markets, regardless of whether they are healthy, sick or dead. This applies also to birds kept in recreation parks, pet shops, and wild birds in wetlands, country parks and elsewhere. PCR testing, a rapid real- time method, is used to speed up detection of the H5N1 virus. Since October 2005, the Government has provided a round-the-clock service for receiving birds brought in for examination, regardless of whether they are dead, or in a weak state.

In 2007, more than 8 700 wild bird carcasses and 6 600 pooled faecal samples. from wild birds were tested under the programme. Among these, 22 dead wild birds. were found to have the H5N1 virus. However, there was no avian influenza outbreak in local poultry farms or markets.

In addition, the Government introduced legislation in February 2006, banning the keeping of poultry, including chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons and quails, in backyards. Offenders faced fines of between $50,000 and $100,000. People keeping poultry as pets before the ban went into effect were required to apply for exemption permits to continue keeping those pets. Owners of racing pigeons were required to have exhibition licences.

In 2007, the Government completed the processing of all applications by poultry farmers and live poultry wholesalers, retailers and transporters to surrender their licences, or cease operation voluntarily in return for an ex gratia payment. This was to reduce Hong Kong's live poultry population and the accompanying risk of avian flu occurring in Hong Kong. A total of 140 poultry farmers 97 chicken, 38 pigeon and five duck and 15 wholesalers ceased operation. As a result, the total licensed rearing capacity of local chicken farms dropped to 1.7 million birds, a fall of about 54 per cent.

To prevent the spread of avian flu, AFCD introduced a number of new licensing conditions for pet bird traders who are now required to provide to the health authorities a copy of the health certificate issued by the veterinary authority of the place of origin of their birds, or documents such as invoices or receipts for birds. obtained from other licensed traders. No selling of birds from an unknown source is allowed. Traders must also keep an up-to-date record of all transactions relating to the acquisition, selling, movement and the remaining number of birds in a register in a format prescribed by the AFCD.