January 27, 2004

Bird Flu Hit Farmers In Thailand To Be Compensated

The authorities in Thailand have drawn out a compensation package for farmers affected by the government's culling of poultry to eliminate the bird flu virus in Thailand, Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob told reporters Tuesday.

"The Cabinet approved the whole package proposed by the Agriculture Ministry...Farmers will receive 40 baht ($1=THB39.276) for each culled dairy chicken aged around 18 weeks and THB20 for meat chickens aged around 22 days," Newin said.

Agriculture Minister Somsak Theapsutin said Monday the compensation package will also cover farmers whose ducks, geese and ganders were culled. Under the package, the government will provide money and new poultry, he said.

As of Sunday, around 9 million birds have been culled to prevent the spread of the avian flu, Newin said.

Thailand produces around 1.2 billion chickens a year, according to the Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association.

Newin said the total cost of the compensation package hasn't been finalized as the culling is continuing in areas affected by the virus.

The disease, which has killed two people in Thailand now, has been confirmed in 13 of the country's 76 provinces while other areas have been put on a "watch list."