Imports banned but Bird Street stays open
Imports of all pet birds will be temporarily suspended following the regional bird flu outbreaks, but Hong Kong's Bird Street market will remain open.
The decision was made after an interdepartmental meeting chaired by Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Yeoh Eng-kiong yesterday. A cleanup of the market will be carried out this morning.
'The meeting agrees that the AFCD [Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department] will suspend the processing of applications for the importation of pet birds pending the development of avian influenza in the region,' said a government spokesman.
Bird Street in Mongkok, the largest wild-bird market in Hong Kong, will remain open, the taskforce decided. Additional measures will be put in place to protect workers.
The frequency of daily cleaning will be increased and inspections of bird stalls will be stepped up.
All pet-bird traders must wear gloves when handling bird droppings. This requirement will be included as a condition in the animal trading licences.
The government was heavily criticised on Friday after it closed the Mai Po marshes and four aviaries in urban parks to the public while allowing the Bird Street market to remain open.
The moves come after health officials warned that bird flu may have been transmitted across the region by migratory birds.
The government yesterday reminded the public of $1,500 fines for anyone caught feeding wild birds, including pigeons.
