The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) mounted an operation and seized a batch of illegally kept live pigs in Cheung Po Tsuen, Pat Heung, Yuen Long, today (December 17).
The AFCD received a report earlier about livestock being illegally kept in Cheung Po Tsuen. Subsequent to its investigation, 24 live juvenile pigs and five live adult pigs were found being kept illegally in an open area there. During investigation today, no person admitted ownership of the pigs. Follow-up investigation by the AFCD is under way.
Based on considerations of public health and control of animal diseases, the AFCD will dispose of all the livestock seized and samples will be taken for African swine fever tests.
An AFCD spokesman said that the keeping of livestock and connected activities in Hong Kong are regulated under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance. Livestock farms must hold a valid licence for keeping livestock. Any person who contravenes the ordinance is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $100,000.
The spokesman warned that people face prosecution if they keep livestock illegally. Suspected cases of illegal keeping of livestock should be reported to 1823.
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