Hong Kong increases imports for Chinese New Year

According to the bureau, the ceiling of the daily live chicken imports from the mainland will be increased from 20,000 to 60,000 from 10 – 13 February to 80,000 from 14 – 16 February. The ceiling for daily live chicken imports will return to 20,000 as of 20 February.

“Our decision has taken into account a basket of factors, including a decrease in supply of local chickens, the risk of avian influenza in the region as well as the higher demand for live chickens during the Chinese New Year,” said the spokesperson, adding that they believe that this could balance the actual demand for live chickens and the risk of bird flu and at the same time maintain a stable price for live chickens.

It was also stressed that if human or poultry bird flu infection were found in Guangdong or Hong Kong before or during this period, the government would immediately suspend the import arrangement.

In an effort to reduce the risk of bird flu, the Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Hong Kong Customs will pay careful attention to the smuggling of live birds during the Chinese New Year.