Hong Kong To Ban Poultry Kept In Backyards

Claim Bird Flu Now "Endemic" In Region

"...legislation to be presented within the next two weeks will ban the keeping of live poultry in homes, even for a short period of time.

"...banning backyard farms is necessary as these households do not have safety measures to prevent the poultry from coming into contact with migratory birds."

The ban on 'home poultry' will apply to the raising of chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, quails and pigeons. Those caught with live poultry in their yards after the legislation becomes law could face fines worth tens of thousands of dollars.

But many locals who refused to hand over their poultry during recent inspections said they would rather kill and eat the birds than give them up for megre compensation.

"This is a free society," one resident said, "and there is no reason why we should not be allowed to raise chickens for our own use."