Import of poultry meat and products from areas in US and UK suspended
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 23) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in areas in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the relevant areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
The relevant areas are as follows:
UK
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Norfolk County
(1) King's Lynn & West Norfolk District
US
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State of California
(2) Marin County
(3) San Joaquin County
State of South Dakota
(4) Beadle County
(5) Charles Mix County
(6) Faulk County
(7) Hutchinson County
(8) McPherson County
(9) Moody County
(10) Spink County
State of Iowa
(11) Sioux County
(12) Palo Alto County
State of North Dakota
(13) Bottineau County
(14) McHenry County
(15) Ransom County
State of Tennessee
(16) Gibson County
State of Utah
(17) Piute County
(18) Sanpete County
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 63 470 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat, and about 17.2 million poultry eggs from the US, and about 900 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 990 000 poultry eggs from the UK in the first nine months of this year.
"The CFS has contacted the American and British authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH 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.
TD's E-Auction enables public to bid for Ordinary Vehicle Registration Marks online
The Transport Department (TD) today (December 23) launched E-Auction (e-auction.td.gov.hk), an online auction platform for Ordinary Vehicle Registration Marks (VRMs). Interested bidders registered as users are no longer required to attend a physical auction and can bid for VRMs through a computer or mobile device anywhere.
E-Auction arrangements and implementation timetable
The first online auction is scheduled for February 2025. Fewer VRMs, some 50, will be put up for auction in the initial phase and details will be announced in late January 2025. Two online auctions are planned to be held each month, with each auction lasting for five days, starting from noon on the first day and ending at noon on the fifth. The TD will gradually increase the number of VRMs in the online auction after reviewing its operations to ensure the smooth running of the E-Auction platform.
Registered users can bid for their desired Ordinary VRMs via E-Auction within the specified time slots of each online auction session, and they may choose to set auto bids prior to the auction. Successful bidders can complete the follow-up procedures at the one-stop platform, including arranging electronic payment and receiving the relevant documents to assign the secured VRMs to the vehicles under the purchaser's name provided in the Memorandum of Sale of VRM. Registered users can also receive auction information regularly through the platform. Non-registered users can browse the E-Auction website to learn about registration and auction procedures, the auction schedule, VRMs pending auction, real-time auction price, etc.
User registration arrangements
Members of the public should register as an E-Auction user by "iAM Smart+" equipped with the digital signing function; or by using a valid digital certificate and an email address upon completion of identity verification. Registered "iAM Smart" users should provide their Hong Kong identity card number, while non-Hong Kong residents who are not "iAM Smart" users should provide the number of their passport or other identification documents.
A spokesman for the TD reminded bidders that applicants who have submitted a $1,000 deposit to reserve a VRM for auction should register as an E-Auction user in advance and participate in the online auction. Otherwise, their reserved VRMs may be sold to other bidders. In addition, cheque or cash payment is not accepted in the E-Auction.
Category of VRMs put up for E-Auction
The E-Auction will only be applicable to Ordinary VRMs. The TD will announce details of the online auction sessions in advance through the E-Auction website and prevailing channels including press releases and newspaper advertisements; and each registered user will receive such information by email. Auctions for VRMs with "HK" or "XX" as a prefix, special VRMs and personalised VRMs will continue to be carried out through physical auctions by bidding paddles and their announcement arrangements remain unchanged.
The TD will inform all applicants who have submitted a deposit to reserve Ordinary VRMs for auction of the E-Auction arrangements in detail by post. Members of the public are welcome to visit the E-Auction website and watch the tutorial videos for more information. Please call the E-Auction hotline (3583 3980) or email (e-auction-enquiry@td.gov.hk) for enquiries.
