Press Releases
Government responds to villager's decision to file judicial review application
In response to media enquiries about a villager's decision to file a judicial
review application against legislative amendments banning backyard poultry, a
Government spokesman said today (February 28) that the ban was needed to protect
the health of the public, including the poultry keepers, their families and
neighbours.
"As no biosecurity arrangements or systematic vaccination could be instituted,
backyard poultry is susceptible to cross infection by wild birds or migratory
birds carrying the H5N1 virus.
"Avian influenza is a global issue warranting swift action on every government
to take pre-emptive action to stop the possible occurrence of human cases which
not only have a high fatality rate but also have adverse effects on the whole
economy," the spokesman added.
According to the World Health Organization, the mortality rate for humans
infected with avian influenza is higher than 50%.
The spokesman reiterated that the Government did not want to see members of the
public being exposed to the risk of avian influenza infection brought by
backyard poultry.
Ends/Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:23
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