H5 Update: Europe

No real comments here, other than this is an example of how different national and transnational entities are trying to cope with the economic impact of H5. This is from the latest EU Newsletter;

The European Commission tabled a proposal on 29 March to co-finance 50% of the cost of market support measures linked to a drop in consumption and the price of eggs and poultry. As a matter of fact, since the beginning of the recent avian flu crisis, consumption of poultry and eggs has fallen dramatically in some Member States, leading to a sharp reduction in prices. "This unprecedented situation can no longer be dealt with using the existing tools," said Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel. " That is why we want to extend the scope of the existing regulations to allow EU co-financing of special market measures."

The current regulations governing the eggs and poultry market allow the EU to co-finance compensation measures only in cases where there is a case of avian flu on a farm or where farmers are prevented from moving their poultry because of restrictions imposed on veterinary orders. There is currently no possibility of providing EU aid to take account of market problems linked to a fall in sales caused by a loss of consumer confidence.

The Commission's proposal, which was sent to the European Parliament and the Council, should be adopted by the end of the month. Once the legal base has been adopted, Member States will have to submit their proposed measures for Commission approval.

technorati: h5, avian influenza