Funding proposals relating to the control of avian influenza



DateContextSummary of developmentAction
17.12.97 CQ Hon LAU Kong-wah raised a question on "Preventing of Infection by the Bird Influenza". [Hansard "page 37"]
31.12.97 HS The Panel discussed issues related to the Influenza A H5N1 virus. [Minutes]

The Panel was briefed of the Administration's follow-up actions which included -
a.working with World Health Organization and Centre for Disease Control and Prevention to trace the source of the virus and ascertain the mode of transmission;
b.implementing territory-wide health surveillance measures through clinics and hospitals;
c.carrying out an operation to slaughter all chickens in Hong Kong from 29 December 1997; and
d.liaising with Mainland authorities for establishing an effective quarantine system for future import of live chickens from the Mainland.

5.1.98 ES The Panel discussed the compensation for slaughter of chickens. [Minutes]
7.1.98 CQ Prof Hon NG Ching-fai raised a question on "Government's Action of Slaughtering Chickens". [Hansard "page 8"]
9.1.98 FC FC approved -
a.creation of a new commitment of $104 million for paying compensation to owners for the birds slaughtered and ex gratia grants to affected operators;
b.creation of a new subhead under the Loan Fund with a commitment of $80 million to enable the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Loan Fund to make loans to affected poultry farmers;
c.creation of a new subhead "Loans to poultry wholesalers and retailers" under the Loan Fund with a commitment of $570 million for making loans to affected wholesalers and retailers; and
d.supplementary provision of $16.4 million to meet increased expenditure of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department. [Paper][Minutes]

21.1.98 CM A motion moved by Hon CHAN Wing-chan on "Improving the Mechanisms for Managing Infectious Diseases and Imported Livestock Quarantine" was passed.[Hansard"page 203"]
21.5.01 FSEH The Panel discussed the precautionary measures taken by the Government to arrest the spread of avian influenza virus among poultry and to protect public health [Paper], and the proposed compensation/ex gratia packages for the affected trades.

A motion strongly urging the Administration to provide reasonable compensation to all employees in those industries affected by the slaughtering of chickens was carried. [Minutes "paragraph 45"]
25.5.01 FC FC considered a commitment to -
(a)create a new non-recurrent commitment of $104.6 million under Head 22 Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Subhead 700 General other non-recurrent for providing compensation and ex-gratia grants as applicable to poultry farmers, wholesalers, retailers and transport operators affected by the operation; and
(b)create a new subhead "Loans to poultry wholesalers and retailers affected by avian influenza" under the Loan Fund Head 262 Primary Products with a commitment of $73 million for providing low interest loans to affected poultry wholesalers and retailers. [Paper]
Some members expressed grave concern about whether the package proposed in that paper could effectively help the various affected parties to cope with their financial difficulties.

In view of members' concerns, the item was withdrawn by the Administration.
1.6.01 FC FC approved a re-submitted item for a commitment to -
(a)create a new non-recurrent commitment of $98.7 million under Head 22 Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Subhead 700 General other non-recurrent for providing compensation and ex-gratia grants as applicable to poultry farmers, wholesalers, retailers and transport operators affected by the operation; and
(b)create a new subhead "Loans to poultry wholesalers and retailers affected by avian influenza" under the Loan Fund Head 262 Primary Products with a commitment of $146 million for providing low interest loans to affected poultry wholesalers and retailers. [Paper]

6.6.01 CM A motion moved by Hon WONG Yung-kan as amended by Hon Tommy CHEUNG Yu-yan on "Avian Influenza Incident" was carried. [Hansard "page 161"]
8.2.02 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration the control measures taken by the Government following the recent avian influenza incident and the related follow-up actions. [Paper]

The Panel received from the Administration an update on the measures to strengthen the local quarantine measures to prevent the spread of avian flu. [Paper] (Chinese version only)
22.4.02 FSEH Updated report from the Administration on the recent chicken influenza incident and the improvement control measures that the Administration had taken. [Administration's report]

The supplementary report on the new development of the recent avian flu incident and the new control measures adopted by the Administration. [Administration's supplementary progress report] (Chinese version only)
27.5.02 FSEH A background brief prepared by the Secretariat on discussions by members since 2000 on measures to control avian influenza. [Paper]

The Panel received a report from the Administration on its establishment of an Investigation Team to investigate the cause(s) of the outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza and to recommend measures necessary to reduce its recurrence. [Administration's executive summary]
15.7.02 FSEH The Panel received a paper from the Administration on additional information relating to the Report of the Investigation Team for the 2002 Avian Influenza Incident. [Paper]
16.9.02 FSEH The Panel received an information paper setting out the impact on live poultry trade retailers and transporters caused by an additional "rest day". [Information paper] (Chinese version only)
19.12.02 FSEH The Panel received from the Administration a paper on the progress of the follow-up of the recommendations in the Investigation Team Report for the 2002 Avian Influenza Incident. [Paper] [Background brief prepared by the Secretariat]

The supplementary information on the Report of the Investigation Team for the 2002 Avian Influenza Incident provided by the Administration. [Paper]
24.2.03 FSEH Questions raised by Hon Fred LI Wah-ming about the recent detection of two cases of human H5N1 infection in Hong Kong. [Paper] (Chinese version only)

The Administration's response to the questions raised by Hon Fred LI Wah-ming about the incident of Hong Kong residents contracting H5N1. [Paper]
5.3.03 CQ Hon Fred LI Wah-ming raised a question on "Preventing Import of Chickens Infected with Avian Flu Virus". [Hansard "page 23"]
27.5.03 FSEH The Panel received from the Administration a paper on the major findings of the one-year vaccination trial programme and field vaccination during the last outbreak in local farms for the control of H5N1 avian influenza, as well as the way forward for the vaccination programme. [Paper]

The supplementary information on the membership and the work of the Advisory Council on Food and Environmental Hygiene; the measures taken by the Dutch Administration after the recent H7N7 avian influenza outbreak in the Netherlands; causes of death of the Dutch veterinarian who had been infected with the H7N7 avian influenza virus; and progress of discussions with the Mainland authority about vaccinating Mainland live birds to be supplied to Hong Kong against H5 avian influenza provided by the Administration. [Follow-up paper]
30.1.04 FSEH The Panel received from the Administration a paper on avian influenza outbreaks in South Korea, Vietnam and Japan. [Paper]

Press releases dated 26 to 28 January 2004 on the avian influenza issue by the Administration. [Press releases] (Chinese version only)

Press release dated 30 January 2004 on the additional measures to prevent avian flu [Press release]
12.2.04 FSEH The Panel received from the Administration a paper on preventive and contingency measures to combat avian influenza in Hong Kong. [Paper]
25.2.04 FSEH The Panel discussed the proposed interim measures to be taken during the period in which there was no supply of imported poultry from the Mainland and suggestions on how to further prevent avian influenza [Paper], and the proposed relief measures to assist wholesalers, retailers and transport operators of live poultry [Follow-up paper].
10.3.04 FSEH The Panel continued the discussion on measures against avian influenza.
19.3.04 FSEH The Panel continued the discussion on measures against avian influenza and supported the proposed ex-gratia payment package.
19.3.04 PRESS Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food advised that the Administration would make reference to proposed guidelines by the World Organization for Animal Health in resuming import of live poultry. [Press Release]
26.3.04 FC FC approved a commitment to create a new non-recurrent commitment of $42 million under Head 22 Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Subhead 700 General other non-recurrent for making ex-gratia payments as applicable to live poultry operators (including farmers, wholesalers, retailers and transport operators). [Paper]
2.4.04 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration on the resumption of importation of chilled and frozen poultry from the Mainland. [Paper]

Consultation paper on long term direction to minimize the risk of human infection. [Consultation paper]

The supplementary information on the resumption of importation of chilled and frozen poultry from the Mainland provided by the Administration. [Follow-up paper]
25.5.04 FSEH The Panel discussed a proposed voluntary scheme to encourage live poultry retailers to surrender their fresh provision shop licences with endorsement to sell live poultry or live poultry stall tenancies in wet markets of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. [Paper]
9.6.04 CQ Hon WONG Yung-kan raised a question on Importing Live Chickens from the Mainland. [Hansard "page 43"]
2.7.04 FC FC approved a commitment to-
(a)create a new non-recurrent commitment of $236,428,000 under Head 49 Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Subhead 700 General non-recurrent for making ex-gratia payment to live poultry retailers who choose to surrender their fresh provision shop (FPS) licences with endorsement to sell live poultry or public market tenancies, as appropriate;
(b)create a new non-recurrent commitment of $83,028,000 under Head 49 Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Subhead 700 General non-recurrent for providing retraining and one-off grants to assist affected live poultry retail workers; and
(c)create a new subhead "Loans to live poultry operators" under the Loan Fund Head 262 Primary Products with a commitment of $9,000,000 for providing loans on an unsecured basis to live poultry retailers holding FPS licences with endorsement to sell live poultry who wish to continue operation to enhance the sanitary and hygiene conditions. [Paper]

26.10.04 FSEH The Panel passed a motion urging the Administration to provide a paper to amend the discussion paper for FC meeting on 2 July 2004 in respect of retraining and financial assistance for live poultry workers. [Minutes]

The Panel received from the Administration a paper on the importation of live poultry and progress report on voluntary surrender of live poultry retail licences or tenancies. [Paper] [Background brief prepared by the Secretariat]
11.1.05 FSEH The Panel discussed the results of the public consultation exercise on the long-term direction to minimize the risk of human infection of avian influenza and the way forward. [Paper]
1.2.05 FSEH The Panel received from the Administration a paper on the training courses and one-off special grants to those unemployed live poultry workers whose employers have not surrendered their licences/tenancies. [Paper]
14.3.05 FSEH,HS The Panel discussed the Administration's overall plan to reduce the risk of avian influenza outbreaks in Hong Kong. [Paper1][Paper2]
7.4.05 FSEH The Panel discussed with live poultry traders and live poultry trade associations of the Comprehensive Plan of Action to Deal With the Global Problem of Avian Influenza
7.4.05 FSEH Information provided by the Administration on scientific/professional opinion on the effectiveness of the vaccine currently used in live chickens and mutation of virus. [Paper]
10.5.05 FSEH The Panel received from the Administration a paper on the discovery of avian influenza virus A subtype H7 in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. [Paper]
11.5.05 CQ Dr Hon KWOK Ka-ki raised a question on researches on patients, the relationship between infectious disease and global warming. [Hansard "page 126"]
14.6.05 FSEH The Panel discussed the Administration's proposed voluntary surrender packages to encourage live poultry farmers, wholesalers and transporters to surrender their licences/tenancies and cease operation in the live poultry trade. [Paper 1] [Paper 2] [Paper 3]
6.7.05 CQ Hon Vincent FANG Kang raised a question on wild birds and poultry in farms in the Mainland and some Southeast Asian countries collectively died of avian flu. [Hansard "page 79"]
8.7.05 FC FC approved to:
(a)create a new commitment of $344.5 million for making ex-gratia payments (EGP) to:
(i)poultry farmers who voluntarily surrender their Livestock Keeping Licences and cease rearing live poultry permanently;
(ii)live poultry wholesalers who voluntarily surrender their poultry stall tenancies at the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market and/or Western Wholesale Food Market (Wholesale Markets) and cease operation at these Wholesale Markets permanently; and
(iii)live poultry transporters who voluntarily surrender their monthly car park tenancies and cease operations of delivery of live poultry permanently and upgrade/convert their vehicles for other business operations;
(b)create a new commitment of $21.6 million for providing a one-off grant of $18,000 per worker to assist the affected local workers of the live poultry farm/wholesale/transport industry;
(c)by extension, change the financial assistance arrangement for live poultry retail workers, i.e. to provide a one-off grant of $18,000 to each of the affected retail workers and to withdraw the provision of retraining courses so as to tally with the similar arrangement for the affected local workers of the live poultry farm/wholesale/transport industry;
(d)create a new subhead "Loans to live poultry transporters" under Loan Fund with a commitment of $14.0 million for making loans to live poultry transporters who cease operation of delivery of live poultry permanently and upgrade/convert their vehicles for other business operations; and
(e)extend the application period for the EGP and loans to live poultry retailers, and one-off grant for live poultry retail workers under the voluntary surrender scheme for live poultry retailers administered by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department as approved under FCR(2004-05)25 on 2 July 2004 so as to tally with the application deadline for the voluntary surrender scheme for live poultry farmers, wholesalers and transporters. [Paper]

31.10.05 FSEH The Panel discussed the Administration's comprehensive plan to deal with the global problem of avian influenza.[Paper][Follow-up paper] (Chinese version only)
2.11.05 CQ Hon Andrew CHENG Kar-foo raised a question on prevention of a local outbreak of human infection of avian influenza. [Hansard "page 42"]
5.11.05 FSEH,HS The two Panels discussed the Administration's the preparedness for influenza pandemic.[Paper] [Report]
8.11.05 FSEH Letter provided by the Administration in response to Hon Emily LAU Wai-hing's enquiry about a recent case of avian influenza outbreak in the Mainland. [Administration's response]
23.11.05 CQ Hon Tommy CHEUNG Yu-yan raised a question on Implementation of Border-closing Measure in case of Outbreak of Human Infection of Avian Influenza. [Hansard "page 12"]
30.11.05 CQ Hon Dr Hon KWOK Ka-ki raised a question on Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza. [Hansard "page 74"]
30.11.05 CM A motion moved by Hon Fred LI Wah-ming as amended by Hon Vincent FANG Kang & Hon Andrew CHENG Kar-foo on "Preventing Avian Influenza" was carried. [Hansard "page 183"]
7.2.06 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration on the Government's plan to ban backyard poultry keeping activities in Hong Kong. [Paper] [LegCo Brief]
15.2.06 CQ Hon WONG Kwok-hing raised a question on "Handling of Bird Carcasses". [Hansard "page 94"]
1.3.06 CQ Hon WONG Yung-kan raised a question on "Central Slaughtering". [Hansard "page 17"]
8.3.06 CQ Hon LAU Kong-wah raised a question on "Bird Carcasses Carrying Avian Influenza Virus". [Hansard "page 83"]
14.3.06 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration's progress of comprehensive plan of action to deal with the global problem of avian influenza. [Paper][Background brief]
11.4.06 FSEH The Panel follow-up discussion with the Administration on the progress of comprehensive plan of action to deal with the global problem of avian influenza [Paper]

Administration's paper on the plan to develop a poultry slaughtering plant in Sheung Shui to minimize the risk of human infection of avian influenza. [Paper] [Question raised by Hon Tommy CHEUNG] (Chinese version only) [Administration's response] (Chinese version only)
10.5.06 CQ Hon Vincent FANG Kang raised a question on "Measures to Segregate Live Poultry from Customers" [Hansard "page 29"]
17.6.06 FSEH,HS The two Panels discussed with the Administration on actions taken to prevent the spread of avian influenza in Hong Kong following the recent confirmed case of human infection of H5N1 in Shenzhen. [Paper]
12.7.06 CQ Hon Vincent FANG Kang raised a question on "Future Use of Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market". [Hansard "Page 62"]
29.11.06 CM A motion moved by Hon Tommy CHEUNG Yu-yan on "Relief measures and compensation policies for the live poultry trades" was passed. [Hansard "page 214"] [Progress report from the Administration]
12.12.06 FSEH,HS The two Panels discussed with the Administration on the preparations for the peak season of avian influenza outbreak. [Paper] [Background brief]
13.3.07 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration the outcome of the invitation for expression of interest exercise for the poultry slaughtering and processing plant [Paper] [Background brief]
13.6.07 CQ Hon MA Lik raised a question on "Providing One-off Grants to Live Poultry Retail Workers". [Hansard "Page 63"]
17.10.07 CQ Hon Albert CHAN Wai-yip raised a question on "Handling of Carcasses of Dead Birds". [Hansard "Page 72"]
13.11.07 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration the proposed legislative amendments related to the development of the poultry slaughtering and processing plant. [Paper]

[Background brief prepared by the Secretariat]
27.2.08 CQ Hon Frederick FUNG raised a question on "Avian Influenza". [Hansard "page 51"]
8.4.08 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration the zonal approach policy on control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. [Paper]
16.6.08 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration the issues relating to the discovery of H5NI virus in chickens at retail markets. [Paper]
25.6.08 CQ Hon Emily LAU Wai-hing raised a question on "Detection of H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus at Poultry Stalls". [Hansard "page 93"]
27.6.08 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration the precautionary measures to be taken against H5N1 virus and proposed compensation package for poultry trade. [Paper]
3.7.08 CM A motion for Adjournment of the Council moved by Hon Tommy CHEUNG Yu-yan on " Relief measures and compensation policies for the live poultry trades" was passed. [Hansard "page 310"]
9.7.08 CQ Hon Vincent FANG Kang raised a question on "Impact of Total Cessation of Business of Live Poultry Trade". [Hansard "page 65"]
12.7.08
13.7.08 		CM Proposed resolution to be moved by Hon Albert CHAN Wai-yip under section 34(2) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance relating to the Food Business (Amendment) Regulation 2008 was negatived. [Hansard "page 338"] and [Hansard "page 6"]
11.2.09 CQ Hon Audrey EU Yuet-mee raised a question on "Prevention of Outbreak of Influenza and Human Infection of Avian Influenza". [Hansard "page 7"]
12.5.10 CM A motion moved by Hon Vincent FANG Kang as amended by Hon WONG Kwok-hing and Hon WONG Yung-kan "Reviewing the Existing Policy on Live Poultry in Hong Kong" was passed. [Hansard "page 155"] [Progress report from the Administration]
30.6.10 CQ Hon Tommy CHEUNG Yu-yan raised a question on "Supply of Live Poultry". [Hansard "page 109"]
15.10.10 FSEH At the meeting on the policy initiatives of the Food and Health Bureau for 2010-2011, the Panel discussed with the Administration on -

a.tightening up the regulatory framework for poultry and animals for the purpose of enhancing public health and food safety; and
b.implementing a multi-pronged strategy to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks.
[Paper]
9.11.10 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration on the review on the restrictions on public access to the Mai Po Nature Reserve, the Hong Kong Wetland Park and other walk-in aviaries upon detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza viruses in wild birds collected from these areas or their vicinity. [Paper] [Background brief prepared by the Secretariat]
11.1.11 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration on a field trial programme to evaluate the efficacy of the Harbin Re-5 H5N1 Avian Influenza vaccine against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza viruses in local chicken farms. [Paper] [Background brief prepared by the Secretariat]


  		• Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health:
    [Avian influenza fact sheet]

    Go to Top