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China announces $97mn poultry subsidy
May 13, 2013, 3:13 pm

[Xinhua]

The grant will endeavour to support poultry breeders nationwide [Xinhua]

In an attempt to aid the poultry industry in the wake of the devastating H7N9 avian flu outbreak, the Chinese central government has announced grant subsidies of $96.77 million.

The grant will endeavour to support poultry breeders nationwide.

Latest figures from the the China Animal Agriculture Association estimated that since the H7N9 influenza outbreak the poultry industry has recorded losses of more than $6.5 billion.

Major poultry-processing companies will receive short-term subsidised loans and local financial institutions have been advised to offer credit aid to breeders and companies.

In fear of the spread of H7N9, the Chinese government ordered the culling of poultry in some areas.

It also closed live poultry markets to reduce contact with the birds, shattering demand all the way down the industry chain.

Since the first human infections in the country in late March, China has reported 130 confirmed H7N9 cases.

Chinese health authorities have said there was yet no sign of human-to-human transmission.

With inputs from Xinhua