The Executive Yuan today established a bird flu response center to up the fight against the growing outbreak, which has spread from waterfowl to chickens and dealt a blow to many poultry farms.
The center, led by Vice Premier Chang San-cheng as the chief commander and Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Bao-ji and Executive Yuan Minister without Portfolio Yeh Shin-cheng as deputy commanders, will meet frequently to discuss measures for containing infections and protecting livelihoods, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun said.
To curb the infections, a three-level response mechanism has been put in place, Sun said. The first level consists of regional response teams set up by the COA and local governments; the second is a decision-making body made up of the COA, other central agencies, local governments and expert advisers; and the third level consists of Executive Yuan meetings as needed, depending on the severity of the outbreaks.
In addition, the Environmental Protection Administration is working with local departments to clamp down on illegal dumping of poultry carcasses and will mete out speedy and severe penalties.
To help businesses hit by the bird flu, the government will survey losses sustained by poultry farmers while the COA and local agricultural authorities will compensate or provide loans to affected farms within one month after culling of poultry. By the end of January, the COA will announce details on lowered loan interest rates and extended repayment terms so as to help farmers recover and minimize their losses.
To protect citizens' health and ensure food safety, the government is taking strong measures to keep infected poultry carcasses and those with excessive drug residue from entering the food market or contaminating drinking water, Sun said.
The MOHW has been monitoring the health of epidemic control and disinfection personnel and workers at infected farms. The agency is also implementing a preemptive plan to lower the possibility of the bird flu virus transmitting to people.
To ensure Taiwan has sufficient equipment and materials to handle the outbreaks, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Ministry of Finance will help with imports of the equipment needed. The Ministry of Defense will continue to provide disinfection manpower and help local governments in cleaning operations that do not endanger the soldiers' health.
The Executive Yuan's Department of Consumer Protection and the Fair Trade Commission are keeping a close eye on poultry market prices. Vendors found to be hoarding supplies or hiking prices will be prosecuted under law by the Ministry of Justice.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, the COA will take emergency measures including importing poultry to soften the impact of the outbreak on holiday supplies. The Ministry of Finance will lower tariffs on poultry and egg products to help stabilize domestic prices and balance market supplies.
The spokesperson added that government agencies will report the latest developments and their response measures on a daily basis. To avert public panic from lack of information, the COA has set up a consultation hotline and other channels for citizens to report infection cases, ask questions and find answers.