Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ6: Import of live wild animals

Following is a question by the Hon Michael Mak and a reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):

Question:

Medical studies have revealed that the coronavirus which has caused atypical pneumonia may have come from wild animals which include masked palm civets. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the quantity of each species of wild animals imported last year and their uses; the quantity of illegally imported wild animals seized by the relevant departments last year and the number of persons arrested for such offence, as well as the heaviest penalty imposed by the court on the persons convicted last year;

(b) of the total number of suspected intoxication cases over the last three years in which people were hospitalized after consuming wild animals; and

(c) whether it will consider imposing a total ban on the import of live wild animals for human consumption; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply :

Madam President,

(a) In 2002, Hong Kong only imported three types of live wild animals for food purposes. These included 710,000 turtles, 150,000 lizards and 59,000 snakes. Major types of wild animals imported as pets in the year were turtles, lizards and hamsters. The number of these animals imported reached about 3.8 million, 2 million and 59,000 heads respectively. Hong Kong also imported a small number of other wild animals as pets. These included rabbits, chinchillas, snakes, guinea pigs, and Mongolian gerbils.

In 2002, there were 29 cases of illegal importation of wild animals. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department seized 850 lizards, 144 turtles plus over 9,000 Kg of turtle consignments, 126 snakes, 7 rabbits, 7 guinea pigs, and 1 barking deer. A total of 14 persons were convicted as a result. The heaviest penalty imposed by the court on the persons convicted was $3,000. This was for an offence of importation of snakes from the Mainland without a valid certificate under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Chemical Residues) Regulation (Cap. 139, Sub. Leg N).

(b) Food poisoning and severe acute respiratory syndrome are notifiable diseases and the cause of illness will be investigated when reported. In the past three years, the Department of Health did not receive any reports of illness related to the consumption of wild animals.

(c) We have not permitted, since 1994, the importation of live civet cats for the purpose of preventing rabies in Hong Kong. We have also temporarily suspended the importation of game meat derived from civet cats since May this year as a precautionary measure, following the release of the findings by the Hong Kong University on the presence of coronavirus in civet cats. As scientists in the world are still conducting research into whether the coronavirus causing SARS in humans originate from wild animals, we will closely keep in view the relevant findings and developments to see if any further measures should be made for the protection of public health.

End/Wednesday, June 25, 2003
NNNN