Advance payments for Belgium's AI losses - BELGIUM - €1.25 million advance payments for the eradication of avian influenza in Belgium.

The European Commission today decided to pay an advance of €1.25 million to Belgium to reinburse compensation paid to farmers for losses they occurred due to avian influenza outbreaks in the first half of 2003.

In total eight outbreaks have been reported in Belgium, about 3 million head of poultry have been killed and 5 million eggs destroyed.

Farmers have been compensated for animals killed and eggs destroyed. Compensation is also paid for the costs of destruction of carcasses, eggs, contaminated feedingstuff and equipment and the cleaning and desinfection of holdings.

The final and total amount of the EU contribution (50% of costs) to Belgium will only be fixed after the Belgian authorities have submitted the official and final claims and after the Commission has carried out financial and veterinary controls.

Source: European Commission - 10th October 2003