Hong Kong Customs today (Aug 28) reminds members of the public not to bring into Hong Kong illicit fresh meat, or they might face prosecution.
Customs and Excise Department conducted a joint operation with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at Lo Wu Control Point today (Aug 28) to suppress illegal importation of fresh meat and poultry by arriving passengers from Shenzhen.
During the operation, the officers seized from six arriving passengers a total of 20.2 kg fresh pork, 19.8 kg fresh chicken, 1.7 kg fresh pigeon, and 5.2 kg fresh duck, worth about $3,000.
The case was handed over to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for follow-up action.
A Customs spokesman said, "Hong Kong Customs has been working closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in cracking down on illegal importation of fresh meat and poultry. Similar joint operations will continue."
He reminded the public to obtain an official certificate from the competent authority of the exporting country before importing meat or poultry into Hong Kong.
Under the Imported Game, Meat and Poultry Regulations of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Chapter 132, it is an offence to bring into Hong Kong any meat and poultry without an official certificate. The maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and an imprisonment for six months.
Between January 1 and August 27, 2007, Customs officers of Lo Wu Control Points detected 298 similar cases, leading to the seizure of 1,333.2 kg pork, 886.2 kg chicken, 271.9 kg other kinds of meat, worth about $41,300.
Ends/Tuesday, Aug 28, 2007
