January 24, 2008

Bird flu spreads to nine districts in India's West Bengal

India's federal government Wednesday confirmed that bird flu in the eastern province of West Bengal has spread to nine districts from an earlier projected seven.

Farm Minister Sharad Pawar told reporters on the sidelines of an agriculture conference that the ministry held a meeting with senior provincial officials confirming that bird flu has spread to nine districts in the Indian province.

Separately, Pawar said the federal government is not considering banning corn exports despite a steep rise in domestic prices.

Athough there have been proposals from industry associations to ban corn exports, the ministry will not do so, as it will hurt the interests of growers, Pawar pointed.