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Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

The relevant measures are effective in preventing human infection of Al, as evidenced by the fact that there has been no locally infected human case of H5 or H7 Al virus after the first Al

outbreak in Hong Kong in 1997.

Control of Animal Diseases

As Hong Kong's inspection and quarantine authority for animals, the AFCD regulates cross- boundary animal movements to prevent animal diseases from entering the territory. The department also assesses the risk of disease in imported animals and animal products on the basis of their species, intended use and the disease status of the place of origin, and formulates the corresponding quarantine measures to control the import of animals and animal products.

In 2017, about 8,300 permits were issued for animal imports, which included dogs, cats, horses, birds, zoo animals and live food animals such as pigs and cattle.

Quarantine Detector Dog Programme

The Quarantine Detector Dog Programme helps combat the illegal import of animals. The dogs are trained to detect live animals and animal products hidden in luggage at boundary control points, including Lok Ma Chau, Shenzhen Bay and Hong Kong International Airport. In 2017, more than 235,000 travellers, 1,030 vehicles and 26,000 parcels and pieces of luggage were screened.

Animal Welfare and Management

The government's approach towards animal welfare and management includes strengthening public education, controlling animal trading properly, fostering close partnerships with animal welfare organisations, managing stray animals properly, and handling and preventing acts of animal cruelty.

Hong Kong is rabies-free. All dogs over five months old must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. Stray dogs and cats are brought to the AFCD Animal Management Centres, and healthy and well-tempered ones are rehomed.

The department encourages care and respect for animals. In 2017, it held 118 educational talks, five dog training courses, 33 exhibitions and one pet adoption event to promote responsible pet ownership and rabies prevention.

The department partners 19 animal welfare organisations to rehome dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and reptiles. It works with these organisations to hold joint Animal Adoption Days and to provide free desexing for animals rehomed through them. The department also subvents these organisations in carrying out animal welfare and management projects.

A working group involving the AFCD, FEHD, police and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals seeks to improve the handling of animal cruelty reports by examining the government's work on handling cruelty cases, devising guidelines and ensuring animal welfare is well protected.

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