Hong Kong's health official will leave Tuesday for a four-day visit to Germany to learn more about horse import arrangement for a better preparation of equestrian games in 2008 Olympics, the Hong Kong government said Monday.

 

The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, York Chow, will meet with German officials from the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection to discuss issues including equine import and export arrangements, quarantine of stables and health certification.

 

He will also attend the World Equestrian Games Aachen 2006 in Germany, the biggest equestrian event before the 2008 Olympics, and meet with the games organizers to better understand the operation of the event.

 

During his visit, Chow also plans to hold talks with officials and veterinarians of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports and brief them on Hong Kong's import arrangements for horses participating in the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2006)