ENG-2019 — Page 212

10

Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

public to work together to improve food safety. The centre also held the Food Safety Seminar for Trade for the government and the food trade to discuss food safety issues.

The centre disseminates information and advice on food safety via online platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Guarding against African Swine Fever

The government has been vigilant about any outbreak of African swine fever in Hong Kong. While African swine fever is not a zoonotic disease and poses no food safety risk, its virus is tough and fast-spreading, and can cause widespread deaths among pigs within a short time. The government has been implementing a suite of preventive measures to minimise the risk of transmission in Hong Kong and maintain a steady supply of live pigs as far as possible. Biosecurity is enhanced at pig farms, boundary checkpoints and slaughterhouses.

In response to two pig samples from Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse testing positive in May, the government imposed a daily clearance arrangement at slaughterhouses in June, taking into account the views of local and overseas experts and with the support of the live pig trade. Lairages in different areas of the slaughterhouses are cleared out for thorough cleansing and disinfection every day, so that if an infected case is detected, it is not necessary to close the slaughterhouse and cull the other pigs, which can be supplied as usual to the market for consumption.

Owing to the arrangement, slaughterhouse operations were not affected when the virus was again found in the samples of three pigs from Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse in September, lessening the impact on the public and stakeholders.

Measures against Avian Influenza

Government measures to keep avian influenza (Al) at bay include stringent monitoring of the poultry supply chain from farm to retail levels, vaccination of chickens against H5 and H7 Al and close surveillance of imported and local birds.

Hong Kong bans the keeping of poultry in backyards. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. Owners of racing pigeons are required to hold exhibition licences, while pet bird traders must submit official animal health certificates to the authorities, or documents such as invoices showing the places of origin of their birds, or the names and addresses of their suppliers. The sale of birds from unknown sources is prohibited. Bird traders must keep up-to- date records of their transactions and the number of birds in their possession.

Live poultry are allowed to be sold at retail level. All live poultry in public market stalls and fresh provision shops must be slaughtered by 8pm every day. Live poultry are not allowed in these premises between 8pm and 5am. Live poultry retailers must ensure people working at retail outlets wear protective clothing and must report any dead poultry immediately to the FEHD. They must not overstock live poultry on their premises and must affix acrylic panels to their poultry cages to prevent direct contact between customers and the poultry.

166