Hong Kong to resume poultry imports from mainland

Inspection and quarantine officers examine live pigeons that are set to be exported to Hong Kong in Shenzhen, in South China's Guangdong province, on Sep 4. [Photo/Xinhua]

HONG KONG - The Food and Health Bureau of China's Hong Kong said the region would resume imports of live poultry from the mainland from Thursday, just in time for Mid- Autumn Festival celebrations next week.

Live poultry imports from the mainland have been suspended since January after an imported chicken was found carrying the potentially-fatal H7N9 bird flu virus.

The Food and Health Bureau said it would put in place safeguards to ensure that imported poultry is free from the virus.