The imports of Guangdong live chickens resumed Sunday after a three-week suspension following a human infection of avian flu in the province.

But Hong Kong health authorities reduced the daily import quota by one third to 20,000 mainland chickens. They'll be available for sale in markets on Monday.

These imported chickens were all selected from several big registered farms in Guangdong, an official from Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau told reporters Sunday.

He said that the chickens would be safe to consume. Steps had been taken, including staff inspecting registered farms and plants regularly, to safeguard the hygiene and safety of live animals that are supplied to Hong Kong.

However, the timing of the supply of day-old chicks is yet to be decided, the official added.

Hong Kong Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Carrie Yau announced last Tuesday that the import of live chickens and pet birds from Guangdong Province would be resumed from March 26.

The import of live poultry from Guangdong was banned after a man died of bird flu in Guangzhou on March 5.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2006)