Press Releases
Response to cases of deaths due to unknown causes in Sichuan
In response to press enquiries regarding cases of deaths due to unknown causes
in Sichuan, a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said today (July
25) that all the pork previously exported to Hong Kong had passed through
stringent inspection and quarantine procedures and was certified to be safe and
hygienic.
The spokesman said the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had
contacted the State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection
and Quarantine (AQSIQ) which affirmed after investigation that registered export
pig farms under the supervision of Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine bureaux
had not been affected by the epidemic and none of their staff had come down with
infection.
All pork imported from the Mainland must be accompanied by health certificates
issued by the AQSIQ or relevant Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine bureaux to
certify that the pork is safe and fit for human consumption. The health
certificate must also certify that the pigs had passed through inspection and
were certified to be clear of infectious diseases before slaughtering. The
spokesman noted that the authorities concerned would step up the inspection and
quarantine work for imported pigs and meat.
As a precautionary measure, the Mainland authorities had temporarily suspended
the export of all pork products from the cities of Ziyang and Neijiang. They
would also step up surveillance of the registered export pig farms.
According to FEHD, Hong Kong imports frozen pork but not live pigs from Sichuan
province.
The Centre for Health Protection of Hong Kong had contacted the Ministry of
Health to obtain the latest information about the incident.
In view of the recent incident in Sichuan province, the Agriculture, Fisheries
and Conservation Department (AFCD) had advised pig farmers to monitor their own
health conditions and that of their pigs. Farmers should notify the Department
of Health if they fall ill. If their pigs appear to be unwell, they should
notify AFCD.
The spokesman said the relevant government departments would closely monitor the
incident and liaise with the Mainland authorities to keep abreast of the latest
developments.
Ends/Monday, July 25, 2005
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