EU Parliament approves aid for poultry producers

EU - In a bid to hold up falling prices for poultry in the EU, the bloc's parliament has voted in favour of additional aid for chicken producers.

The aid programme, which was passed with a few key amendments, is intended to help EU chicken farmers facing a sharp drop in consumption due to the outbreak of avian flu throughout the EU's 25 member states.

Last week, the UK became the 13th EU member to report the presence of the H5N1 form of the avian influenza virus, or bird flu, in wild birds. Of more concern to consumers, Germany also reported an outbreak in domestic poultry at a farm.

Since the beginning of the recent avian flu crisis, consumption of poultry and eggs has fallen dramatically in some member states, leading to a sharp reduction in prices.

Last week, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) said they supported the European Commission efforts to extend compensation not just for those directly affected by the virus, but also for farmers suffering due to the "serious disturbances" on EU markets.

Source: Food Production Daily
calendar icon 11 April 2006
clock icon 1 minute read
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