EU to approve aid for bird flu-hit poultry farmers

European Union farm ministers are set to approve Tuesday special aid payments to poultry farmers hit by the collapse of prices due to the bird flu crisis, officials said.

The measures will be agreed at regular ministerial talks in Luxembourg based on proposals by the European Commission following a slump of poultry sales by up to 70 pct in some EU countries.

So far EU aid could only be used to help farmers who have had an outbreak of avian influenza on their own property, or who cannot send the produce to market because of veterinary restrictions.

Under the proposal, the commission would pick up half the cost of measures to help the market, hit by a drop in consumer confidence as the bird flu outbreaks spread across the EU.

EU to approve aid for bird flu-hit poultry farmers

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