Hong Kong’s famous roast pig-cutting ceremonies: is it time for them to get the chop?
- City University calls for the ceremonies to be discouraged after outrage over two roast pigs being cut at the opening of its new veterinary centre
- A member of the university’s ruling council says the decision is a knee-jerk reaction and the government has no plans to stop attending ceremonies
Should centuries-old, traditional roast pig-cutting ceremonies for special occasions be discouraged – even banned – in Hong Kong to appease animal lovers?
City University’s directive was in turn criticised as a knee-jerk reaction by a member of its own ruling council. Dr Eugene Chan Kin-keung said on Friday that it went against the treasured practice of academic institutions to make decisions based on evidence, logic and justification.
A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau stated the government’s stance: “There is no direct link between roast pig-cutting ceremonies and animal welfare. We have no plan to stop doing so or stop attending such ceremonies.”
The university’s senior management on Monday asked all departments to consider cancelling such ceremonies and other “outdated rites” at future celebrations after considering environmental concerns and the opinions of different sections of the community.