Bird flu funding ‘on track’

The €100m pledged by the European Commission for bird flu projects around the world is well on the way to being mobilized, according to the latest report. The funding package was designed to assist developing nations to combat the disease in wildlife and increase preparedness for a potential human pandemic.

€50m has been approved for affected nations in Asia, the Mediterranean region and Eastern Europe, €30 has been allocated for Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries, and €20m has been directed at research projects within the EU, where more than 300 scientists at 120 institutions are working on ways to tackle the problem.

The Commission aims to complete the distribution before a Senior Officials Meeting in early June.

"We have to act now to support to the neediest countries in containing avian influenza. Speed is of the essence to avert the threat of a pandemic and reduce economic losses," commented Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy.