Government Proposes License Requirement for New Territories Sheep Raising; Official Denies Industry Building Plan
On.cc · 3 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong government is proposing to amend the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Keeping of Cattle, Sheep and Goats) Regulation to extend licensing requirements to the New Territories for keeping sheep, goats, and cattle. During a Legislative Council Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene Committee meeting on October 13, 2026, Environmental and Ecological Bureau Secretary Tse Chin-wan emphasized that the regulation is not intended to build a sheep industry but to address public nuisance, hygiene concerns, and illegal slaughter activities. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department proposed an exemption permit system allowing small-scale keepers with no more than 10 animals to operate under specified conditions, with flexibility based on available space, sewage, and waste disposal facilities at individual premises.
Key Points
- The proposed amendment would require licenses for keeping cattle, sheep, and goats in the New Territories, extending current regulatory controls from existing areas
- Licenses must comply with various building requirements under the regulation, with grazing prohibited unless approved
- Legislator Yao Ming (姚銘) from New Territories North cited resident complaints about sheep droppings and farmers whose crops were eaten by sheep in Sheung Shui and Tin Shui Wai areas
- The AFCD proposed an exemption permit for keeping no more than 10 sheep, with authorities determining specific allowed numbers based on space, sewage, and waste facilities
- Tse Chin-wan stated the government sees no industry prospects for sheep farming long-term, and the regulation targets nuisance, hygiene, and illegal slaughter issues
Why It Matters
This regulatory amendment directly affects residents in the rapidly developing Northern Metropolis, where sheep have increasingly caused friction between communities and farmers. The exemption threshold and enforcement approach will set a precedent for how Hong Kong balances animal welfare, public sanitation, and small-scale agricultural activities in urbanizing rural areas .
This regulatory amendment directly affects residents in the rapidly developing Northern Metropolis, where sheep have increasingly caused friction between communities and farmers. The exemption threshold and enforcement approach will set a precedent for how Hong Kong balances animal welfare, public sanitation, and small-scale agricultural activities in urbanizing rural areas .