Customs officers seized two live birds at Man Kam To Control Point today (March 31).

About 11.15am, Customs officers intercepted a cross-boundary lorry arriving from Shenzhen for inspection. They uncovered two live hwa mei birds inside the driving compartment of the vehicle.

A 51-year-old local male driver was arrested.

The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for follow-up action.

Members of the public are reminded to have obtained import licence from AFCD before importing live birds into Hong Kong.

Any illegal importation of live birds is liable to prosecution under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance. The maximum penalty is a fine of $25,000.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing, exporting, or re-exporting, even for non-commercial purposes, any endangered live animal without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and an imprisonment for one year.

The Customs and Excise Department will continue to work closely with AFCD to combat illegal importation of live birds or poultry.

Customs officers seized two live birds at Man Kam To Control Point today (March 31).

Ends/Monday, March 31, 2008