Pig Cull To Go Ahead Despite Traders' Protest

Health Secretary Sophia Chan has rejected demands from pork traders to spare 6,000 pigs that are due to be culled at the Sheung Shui slaughterhouse, after a pig imported from the mainland tested positive for African swine fever.

The traders say no pig should be culled unless it tests positive for the virus.

But the health chief said on Saturday that the slaughterhouse had been contaminated and officials need to ensure the virus would not spread to local pig farms.

Chan said the practice is in line with international standards, adding that traders would be compensated at the market price.

She earlier assured the public that African swine fever would not be transmitted to human and hence posing no food safety risk.

The Tsuen Wan slaughterhouse will remain open, and officials do not expect pork supplies to be affected.

More than one million pigs have been culled on the mainland since the outbreak began in August.