July 18, 2007

Egypt's poultry industry recovers

The poultry industry has returned to what it had been before the first bird flu case was reported in Egypt in February of 2006, said Agriculture and Land Reclamation Minister Amin Abaza last week.

Although bird flu has been contained, some cases continue to be detected among backyard chickens, Abaza said at the opening session of a workshop on combating the H5N1 virus.

Abaza said the ministry has laid down a strategy to contain bird flu and rebuild the poultry industry in Egypt.

The country's recovery effort was helped by the World Bank and the US, which offered US$ 7 million and US$24 million, respectively.

Abaza said production levels are now back to normal.

Investments in the poultry industry is returning and more than 1.5 million job opportunities would be created. Loans and grants would also help control bird flu and prevent future outbreaks, he said.