The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 29) that in view of notifications from the General Veterinary Inspectorate of Poland and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Korea respectively about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in KÅ‚odzko District of DolnoÅ›lÄ…skie Region and Pisz District of WarmiÅ„sko-Mazurskie Region in Poland, and in Gurye-gun of Jeollanam-do Province, Yesan-gun of Chungcheongnam-do Province and Gyeongju-si of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province in Korea; and a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Kyiv Oblast in Ukraine, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

      A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, in the first nine months of this year, Hong Kong imported about 9,900 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 21.32 million poultry eggs from Poland; about 740 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 8.9 million poultry eggs from Korea; and about 2 160 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 66.6 million poultry eggs from Ukraine.

      "The CFS has contacted the Polish, Korean and Ukrainian authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
 

     In view of the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hong Kong Flower Show 2021 will be held in a brand-new format at Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) venues across 18 districts.
 
     The Show will return with the theme "City of Flowers, City of Love" and feature the rhododendron, often seen as a great beauty in the flower kingdom, as the theme flower. In order to prevent the gathering of large crowds, reduce social contact and lower the risk of the virus spreading in the community, the Show, originally scheduled to be held from March 12 to 21, 2021, at Victoria Park, will be morphed into exquisite garden plots displayed at designated parks across 18 districts and presented virtually online for a new browsing experience. Meanwhile, rhododendrons will be planted in verdant displays at LCSD venues to echo the theme of the Show.
 
     During the Show period, the Hong Kong Science Museum will present a special exhibition, "Exploring Flowers with Five Senses", to let visitors explore the wonderful flower world with five senses. In addition, book displays on flowers and plants will also be set up in the Hong Kong Central Library and City Hall Public Library as a tie-in activity of the Show. Details will be announced in due course. For the latest information, please visit the dedicated website at www.hkflowershow.hk.

     A restaurant and its sole proprietor and another restaurant were convicted for supplying food with false trade descriptions in the course of trade, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), at Fanling Magistrates' Courts yesterday (December 28) and today (December 29). The two restaurants were fined $4,000 and $2,000 respectively while the sole proprietor was fined $4,000.

     Hong Kong Customs earlier conducted spot checks and test purchases at various restaurants in the territory. During the operation, Customs officers test-purchased dishes claimed to be "grouper" and "abalone" at two restaurants in Tai Po and Sheung Shui respectively. Samples were sent to the Government Laboratory for examination.

     Examination results confirmed that the test-purchased dishes at the above-mentioned restaurants were catfish and squid respectively, different from what had been declared.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure products at reputable restaurants.

     Under the TDO, any person who supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business, or is in possession of any goods for sale with a false trade description, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited on fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Attention Duty Announcers, Radio and TV Stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:

     With the approach of cold weather, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) reminds the elderly to take precautionary measures during the cold spell. Relatives, friends and neighbours are encouraged to show concern and care for the health of frail elderly persons, particularly those living alone. Those in need may call the SWD hotline at 2343 2255 for assistance.