‘Bird Flu Has Been Contained’, FG Assures Poultry Farmers

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured poultry farmers that it has contained the outbreak of the Avian Influenza otherwise known as Bird Flu.

The Director of Veterinary Public Health, Mrs Egejuru Eze, made the notice on Tuesday while addressing a news conference at the Headquarters of the Ministry Of Agriculture in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, after an unusual gathering of poultry farmers dressed in black.

Spokesman for the Poultry Farmers Association, Dalis Nanle, criticised the failure of the Federal Government to fulfill its promise of compensation for poultry farmers affected by Bird Flu.

He claimed that the Bird Flu had sent many of the farmers out of business.

In reaction to their claims, Mrs Eze debunked the allegation while positing that no case of the Bird Flu had been recorded in the last three weeks.

She also assured them that arrangements were in place to compensate poultry farmers affected by the disease, adding that the Federal Government is working towards ensuring that all poultry farms are insured.

Although, the Ministry of Agriculture promised to compensate the affected poultry farmers soon, one issue that remained unresolved was the amount to be paid per bird.

The farmers insisted on a 1,450 Naira per Bird payment while the Ministry said 750 Naira per bird remained the realistic option.