Opening remarks of USFH at media standup

     The Food and Health Bureau, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department met with live pig buyers and meat trade representatives at the Central Government Offices today (May 12). Following is the opening remarks of the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, at the media session:

     Today, we have another meeting with live pig buyers and meat trade representatives. The discussion is very frank and also productive. We have reached three consensus.

     First, we agreed to start the culling and the disinfection process as soon as possible in Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse. If everything is smooth, starting from tomorrow, the whole process will be completed in seven days. The second consensus is the Government will communicate with the Mainland's General Administration of Customs, and with the cooperation of the buyers and traders, to resume the supply of live pigs to Tsuen Wan Slaughterhouse as soon as possible. The third point is we will continue to discuss with the trade on refining the scope of culling of live pigs in slaughterhouse in case African Swine Fever is detected again.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)