China to support poultry sector  

中国推出扶持政策稳定家禽生产

中国发现首例人H7N9亚型流感病例以来，尽管家禽业没有发生H7N9禽流感疫情，但仍然受到重大冲击，中国官方16日推出稳定家禽业生产的扶持政策，要求加大对家禽养殖的财政补贴和信贷支持，以保护畜牧业生产力，最大限度减少农民损失。

Beijing (CNS) -- Financial subsidies and credit loans should be granted to the country's poultry sector to minimize losses caused by the strain of H7N9, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday.

Losses in chicken-related farming and enterprises nationwide have exceeded 16.7 billion yuan ($2.7 billion), according to the National Poultry Industry Association.

Fearing bird flu, many consumers have stopped eating chicken and eggs, which resulted in big drops in prices and sales.

The ministry asked local governments to combat the flu and support the poultry sector at the same time.

Other supporting policies include monitoring enterprises' purchase agreements and sending veterinarians to instruct farmers.

The ministry also confirmed that poultry products available at markets that have certificates of quarantine are safe.

Special report: H7N9 avian influenza