Hong Kong's housing department will take strict enforcement action against littering arising from feeding feral birds in common areas at public rental housing estates, Deputy Director of Housing Lau Kai-hung said on Sunday.

He said wild bird feeders will be served a 1,500 HK dollars (US$194) fixed-penalty notice and five penalty points under the Marking Scheme for Tenancy Enforcement when caught, and no prior warning will be given, according to a government press release.

Noting wild pigeon droppings may help spread harmful germs, he said avoiding feeding them is the best way to minimize their congregation.

A package of specific measures has been introduced to preserve environmental hygiene in public rental housing estates and markets in the wake of the recent outbreak of avian influenza in neighboring places, he said.

To reduce the environmental nuisance caused by wild crows and pigeons, department staff will trim overgrown trees and clean the open spaces frequented by wild birds. The department will use sound devices and deploy security guards to frighten away wild birds.

The department has also stepped up cleaning operations at its estates this month.

Cleaning contractors have been advised to clean and disinfect public areas on a more frequent basis, especially market poultry stalls, bird roosting sites and bird feeding black spots to remove droppings and remnants of food.

While the department will keep inspecting the drainage systems in public areas and on external walls, Lau reminded tenants to take parallel action to report defective drains or seepage problems and to refill U-traps with water inside their flats regularly, in another effort to prevent the possible spread of epidemic diseases.

(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2005)