Argentina's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Nation announced last week that the Economic Assistance Program for the Health Emergency - avian influenza H5 and H7 was created to assist poultry producers who had to slaughter poultry and/or destroy fertile eggs and/or fresh eggs for health reasons.

Secretary Bahillo said the investment of $7,450 million was arranged by the Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, to accompany the productive sector that was affected by avian influenza.

"As we said from the first day, we will be at the side of the producers in the face of any circumstance they have to face, because they are the engine of the Argentine economy," said Bahillo.

The Program, which will be financed with funds from the Exporting Increase Program, will be in force for 180 days to accompany with a fixed sum in pesos, depending on the age and type of poultry lost. 

To access this accompaniment, the beneficiary producers must be registered in the National Sanitary Registry of Agricultural Producers (RENSPA) of Senasa. They must also have been affected by avian influenza measures and must not have hindered or prevented Senesa agents during the health emergency intervention procedure.

The amount of compensation, according to the ministry, will be determined based on the number of birds and/or eggs recorded in the respective Senasa report, multiplied by the unit compensation values.