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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department this morning (December 18) raided an illegal slaughterhouse in Yuen Long and seized about 400 kilogrammes of unstamped pig carcasses and slaughtering equipment.
FEHD officers took action after receiving information about illegal slaughtering activities inside a temporary structure at Pak Sha (near Kung Um Road), Yuen Long.
During the blitz operation, three men allegedly engaged in illegal slaughtering were arrested and charged with operating a slaughterhouse without a licence, illegal slaughtering of food animals for human consumption and possession of prohibited food.
An FEHD spokesman said the department would continue to take stringent enforcement action against illegal slaughtering activities and sale of meat from an unapproved source.
"Anyone participating in these illegal activities commits an offence and is liable for a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
"We will closely monitor the supply of meat at the retail level to ensure that the meat has been properly inspected and meets the required hygiene standards.
"Anyone who has doubts about meat being sold at retail outlets should call the department's hotline at 2868 0000," the spokesman said.
Ends/Monday, December 18, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:54
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