Patrol teams enforce ban on backyard poultry
Monday, February 13, 2006
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) patrol
teams have started inspecting villages throughout the territory to enforce
the ban on backyard poultry, which came into force today (February 13).
The enforcement operation follows the ban imposed to protect public health
and reduce the risk of an avian influenza outbreak in Hong Kong. Assistant
Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Dr Liu Kwei-kin urged
villagers to co-operate fully with the patrol teams.
Dr Liu said about 750 villages and 300 squatter areas would be inspected
in five to six weeks.
"Poultry found being kept illegally in households will be seized
and prosecution against offenders will be considered subject to evidence,"
he said.
"We expect the public will recognise the necessity of our work and
cooperate fully with our staff. Where necessary, police assistance will
be sought," he said.
Under the legislative amendments to outlaw backyard poultry keeping,
unauthorised keeping of chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons and quails is
an offence with a fine of $50,000 to $100,000.
In the first day of operation, about 200 AFCD staff in 40 teams inspected
95 villages, seizing 71 chickens and 11 other banned birds from 12 households.
The birds will be disposed of in the AFCD command centres in Sheung Shui
and Ta Kwu Ling.
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