Press Releases

SFH visits Olympic equestrian competition venues (with photo)

The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (August 8) visited the Olympic equestrian venues at Sha Tin and Beas River to see the health of competing horses for the Good Luck Beijing -- HKSAR 10th Anniversary Cup to be held from August 11 to 13, and quarantine facilities there.

Dr Chow toured places including the Sha Tin main arena, stables and venue veterinary clinic. He then met the Veterinary Delegate of International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), Professor Leo Jeffcott, and Quarantine Manager of the Equestrian Company Dr Keith Watkins to discuss measures to safeguard the health of competing horses.

He was pleased to learn of the positive feedback from FEI on the stable facilities in Hong Kong. Competing horses that had arrived in Hong Kong for the competition were in good health. Teams accompanying competing horses were also satisfied with the facilities of the competition venues.

Satisfied with the relevant facilities after the visit, Dr Chow hoped that experience could be drawn from the competition in quarantine arrangements for the horses before staging the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events next year.

"The Government is very concerned about the health of competing horses and quarantine measures. We will work closely with the relevant parties to better understand their needs so as to stage the competition smoothly," he said.




Ends/Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:51

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