[The Epoch Times, 5 gennaio 2023](The Epoch Times reporter Lin NiHong KongFull report) In early 2022, due to a pet store clerkhamsterInfection with the Delta virus strain,governmentThe “Rat Killing Order” was implemented and more than 2,000 rats were culled on a large scalehamsterand small animals and commercialimporthamster. Some lawmakers said on the 4th that the government is preparing to resume commercial imports of hamsters in the middle of this month.
Member of the Legislative Council’s wholesale and retail sector, the Liberal Party Shao Jiahui said on his social media platform that he had metHong KongMembers of the House of Pet Dealers meet where pet store operators want to reinstate hamstersimportHe then contacted the Bureau of Environment and Ecology for reflection.
governmentShe told him on the 4th that, with the exception of hamsters, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation reinstated commercial import licenses for all small mammals in May 2022. Previously, a consultant was hired to import hamsters and perform related risk assessments. We will communicate with industry as soon as possible and prepare to resume commercial imports of hamsters in the middle of this month.
Leon Poon, a professor at the School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong University once suggested that if hamsters are to be imported, they should first be tested and screened to ensure they are free from viruses to improve safety. ◇
Responsible editor: Li Wei
