As any bird flu outbreak will ruin the achievements of last
year's economic recovery, Hong Kong government is considering a
series of long-term precautionary measures to keep the deadly
disease outside the region.
To avoid live poultry slaughtering in wet markets or back
alleys, a site near the boundary has been identified for the
proposed central poultry slaughtering plant, which will come into
operation in 2009, Hong Kong Health, Welfare and Food Bureau
said.
With the nearest residential area over 200 meters away, the
10,500-square-meter plant will operate year-long with a daily
slaughtering capacity of up to 40,000 chickens and 3,000 pigeons
and other small sized poultry except water birds. Its capacity can
be expanded for slaughtering up to 60,000 chickens.
The plant, which will cost HK$200 million (US$25.64 million), is
expected to be enclosed and comprise three major areas for holding
live chickens, slaughtering and distribution. Lorries used for
delivering live chickens will go to the plant direct from the
boundary or local farms and be cleaned after unloading within the
plant.
The district council is scheduled to discuss the issue on April
6. An official tender will be called this year to complete
everything including legislation within the next legislative
year.
As the government is balancing employment in poultry sales,
tourism and catering industries, it is studying compensation for
the 3,000 poultry retailers or wholesalers who will be affected by
the changes to Hong Kong's chicken supply.
Besides, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
(AFCD) has earmarked HK$10 million (US$1.28 million) for the
promotion of organic farming and greenhouse production, especially
targeted at poultry farmers who may switch to organic farming due
to avian influenza. So far, about 120 poultry farmers have attended
seminars held by the AFCD for organic cultivation of strawberries,
golden cap mushrooms and cherry tomatoes.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang agreed that organic farming can
produce food in an environmentally friendly and sustainable
manner." Diversified development suits Hong Kong's economic need.
With a good business outlook, organic farming provides local
farmers with a viable alternative and more choices for consumers,"
he said.
To nature reserves, wetlands and urban parks that are fragile to
avian flu, the government begins to exert controls with
international criteria.
The Worldwide Fund For Nature, formerly known as World Wildlife
Fund, suggests that the government should also follow other
international examples in developing a more detailed set of
scientific criteria to determine whether to close the reserve in
the future as a precautionary measure against bird flu.
"Such clear criteria would not only benefit Mai Po, but also
other educational facilities that have been closed because of
concern over bird flu, such as the new Wetland Park in Tin Shui
Wai, and the aviaries in Ocean Park, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic
Gardens, and in the many urban parks," Lew Young, WWF Hong Kong Mai
Po Reserve Manager, said.
(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2006)