The following can only be a brief introduction of the legal subject concerned. Before you take any action which may have legal consequence, you should first seek advice from your own lawyer or make an appointment at any District Office to see a volunteer lawyer of the Free Legal Advice Scheme.




(704) LIVESTOCK WASTE FROM FARMS

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Livestock waste is a pollution problem in Hong Kong, particularly in the New Territories. The Waste Disposal Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation, the Waste Disposal (Livestock Waste) Regulations, provide a means to control the collection, storage, treatment and disposal of livestock waste under the Livestock Waste Control Scheme.

The urban areas and new towns in the New Territories are delineated as Prohibition Areas. It is an offence to keep any pig or poultry (i.e. chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons and quails) in the Prohibition Areas.

The remaining areas are delineated as the Restriction Areas, where new livestock keeping activity is not allowed, and the Control Areas. In both the Restriction Areas and the Control Areas, livestock farm operators must collect, store, treat and dispose of the solid livestock waste properly so as not to cause any nuisance or annoyance to the public. They must discharge liquid livestock waste into properly constructed soakaway-pits or treatment systems. It is an offence to discharge liquid livestock waste into a sewer, the sea, or a watercourse unless it has been treated to the stipulated standard.

You may contact a lawyer to discuss your civil right against any person keeping livestock or discharging livestock waste.

For enquiries, please contact the Local Control Offices or through the EPD's Customer Service Hotline of 2838 3111.

Date of amendment: 22nd February 2013