Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ4: Animal release activities
Following is a question by the Dr Hon Chiang Lai-wan and a written reply by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, in the Legislative Council today
(February 22):
Question:
Some environmental groups have pointed out that in recent years, animal release
activities have become increasingly common and commercialised. However, as some
animals became weakened or sick during transportation or sale, they died soon
after being released. These groups have also pointed out that some people
released animals at unsuitable locations or released animals which were not
suitable for release, thereby not only endangering the lives of the animals
concerned, but also damaging the local ecological environment. In this
connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the number of complaints received by the authorities in the past three
years about animal release activities, with a breakdown by species of the number
of animals released;
(2) as some environmental groups have pointed out that quite a number of people
who release animals do not know much about the habitats necessary for survival
of the animals being released and the potential impact of the released animals
on the ecological environment, whether the authorities have measures in place to
encourage the public to show mercy to animals in other ways; if so, of the
details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) of the legislation currently in place to regulate animal release activities;
whether it has reviewed the adequacy of the existing legislation for regulating
industries engaged in animal release activities so as to safeguard animal
welfare; if so, of the details, and whether it will follow the practice of
Taiwan to introduce legislation to prohibit unauthorised release of any animals
into the wild; if it will not, of the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
In recent years, some people have released animals for religious or other
reasons. However, releasing animals improperly, including those into a habitat
unsuitable for their survival, may affect their health as well as the ecosystem.
The Government has all along been working with concerned animal welfare
organisations (AWOs) in enhancing public education, with a view to raising the
public's awareness of the potential adverse impact on both the animals and the
environment brought about by animal release activities.
My reply to the various parts of the question is as follows.
(1) In the past three years, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (AFCD) received a total of four complaints related to suspected
release of tortoises, freshwater shrimps and fishes. One of the complaints
involved 60 to 70 tortoises while the number of animals released was not
specified in the remaining cases. AFCD could not establish whether or not such
activities had taken place after conducting site inspections upon receipt of the
complaints.
(2) AFCD and three organisations concerned about animal release activities,
namely the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals and the Hong Kong Society of Herpetology Foundation, have
jointly designed a poster for public education on the potential impact of animal
release activities. The posters are distributed and displayed at various
locations in the community (including markets, the Bird Garden, ferry piers,
country parks and geoparks), and have been sent to over 50 religious
organisations. The public is reminded to think carefully before participating in
animal release activities, and to consider taking other virtuous actions, such
as tree-planting, or voluntary services organised by the AWOs or green groups,
etc. in lieu of animal release. It is noted that some AWOs have also been
promoting to the public the potential adverse impact of animal release
activities on animal welfare.
(3) We believe that it is important to strengthen public education so as to
raise the public's attention to animal release, and advise them to think
carefully before participating in any such activities. AFCD will continue to
partner with AWOs in the promotion work on this front. The Government has no
plan to regulate the operation of animal release activities or the related
trades by legislative means at this stage.
Ends/Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:25
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