site.btaNational Task Force Set Up to Control Avian Flu

National Task Force Set Up to Control Avian Flu

Sofia, December 29 (BTA) - A national task force has been set up to control and eliminate avian flu, comprising representatives of the Agriculture Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the State Agency for National Security. This emerged at a meeting between Agriculture Minister Dessislava Taneva, officials and representatives of the poultry industry on Wednesday.

The taskforce will meet daily to map out prevention measures in regions without reported hotspots of avian influenza.

"All farmers whose birds have been culled due to the disease will receive compensation," said Taneva.

The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency updated participants in the meeting about the epizootic situation in the country and the measures imposed to contain the disease. So far over 9,000 birds have been culled and 10 hotspots of avian flu have been established.

Because of the established hotspots in Plovdiv Region and the high concentration of poultry farms there control is stepped up. The Agency and the Interior Ministry will oversee a ban to move animals. Additional restrictions are imposed over the transportation of feed and feed additives in the 3- and 10-km zone around the hotspots.