September 30, 2005
ASEAN starts fund against bird flu
ASEAN will be starting a regional fund to fight bird flu and other animal diseases, on top of endorsing a global plan to contain bird flu, according to Philippine officials on Sep 30.
The money will be used to help affected countries fund research, personnel training and campaigns against bird flu. It can also be utilised to help prevent the spread of other animal diseases such as FMD and hog cholera, said Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban.
In the meantime, ASEAN has also agreed to endorse a global bird flu plan proposed by the OIE, WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), according to another Philippine official, Agriculture Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano.
ASEAN's endorsement will give the proposed plan credibility among donor countries and multilateral agencies, FAO had said on Sep 29.
Details on the new fund and other measures to curb bird flu are expected to be announced later on Sep 30 after the ASEAN ministers' meeting with China, Japan and South Korea.
A lack of funds is currently hampering the fight against bird flu in Asian countries, experts have been saying.
ASEAN comprises of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
