May 15, 2007

UK funds GBP3.9 million project to combat bird flu in poor nations

The UK's Department for International Development launched a GBP3.9-million research project Monday (May 14) to help the world's poorest farmers tackle bird flu and safeguard livelihoods in the event of future outbreaks.

The study focuses on Africa and South-east Asia, with experts expected to identify protective strategies, such as farmer compensation schemes.

UK Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn said: "This pioneering research will help find ways of helping the poor while also ensuring appropriate control measures are followed so that farmers do not hide, slaughter or eat infected birds."

The agency said highly pathogenic bird flu infections have claimed more than 170 lives in 12 countries since 2003. In South-east Asia more than 140 million birds have been culled due to the disease, which translates to a total estimated economic loss of over US$10 billion for the region.

In Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Mali, and Nigeria, research will be spearheaded by the International Food Policy Research Institute and the International Livestock Research Institute. In Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, studies will be led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Royal Veterinary College, and the University of California at Berkeley.