FAO raises $1.9 billion to fight bird flu [Archives:2006/931/Business & Economy]

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General Jacques Diouf affirmed that the organization has received a promise from an international group of rich countries offering $1.9 billion to combat trans-border diseases like bird flu. At the FAO's 28th conference meetings in Sana'a March 16, Diouf said member states must cement their economic and investment role in agriculture in order to assist the organization in implementing agricultural development programs.

In a Sana'a press conference, Diouf added that the organization is exerting efforts to fight bird flu in African states, clarifying that it is working through a program to fight the virus in four FAO member states, including Egypt where the virus recently appeared.

For his part, Yemeni Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Dr. Jalal Faqiera renewed confirmation that Yemen remains free of bird flu, denying press information that is skeptical concerning the disease's existence in Yemen. He explained that there are 70 disease observation and follow-up points, affirming that the ministry is following the disease closely. The minister called on Yemeni media not to report on the subject out of partisan stances and political vexations to spread panic among the public.

At the conclusion of their meeting, FAO conference participants approved a coordinating meeting in Amman, Jordan involving region states' senior officials. The meeting is to be held in cooperation with the World Health Organization and aimed at studying the region's bird flu situation, exchange information and coordinate efforts for early disease discovery.

Conference participants demanded FAO member states continue strengthening technical and institutional capabilities of ministry units charged with analyzing agricultural policies and issues related to trade. Such action will support the states' dialogue teams in World Trade Organization negotiations, encourage taking necessary measures to increase investments, secure funding for states' agricultural development programs and work with international and regional financing establishments to discuss possibilities for aiding states' and regional branch activities to build capacities in areas related to multi-party trade negotiations, which should be done in cooperation with the FAO.
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