The poultry industry has been given an official ultimatum to accept a HK$1 billion government compensation package to shut down their businesses or face an uncertain future, according to The Standard.

Furthermore, the territory's 469 chicken retailers have been told they must make their decision by 24 July, while farmers, wholesalers and transport workers have been given a further two months to accept or decline the offer.

Secretary for Food and Health York Chow Yat-ngok made it clear that this is the government's final offer after a meeting of the Executive Council yesterday.

As well as retailers, Hong Kong has 71 wholesalers, 50 chicken farms and 266 transport workers who depend on the trade for their livelihood.

The Standard's report points out that if the retailers accept the buy-out deal, it will effectively end the businesses of the rest of the sector as well as Hong Kong's culture of trading live chickens.

View the Standard story by clicking here.

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