Vice Premier Chang San-cheng today presided over the second meeting of the avian influenza response center. Regarding public concerns about compensation for affected farmers, Chang pointed out relevant agencies have identified the outbreak stems from new virus strains and announced that farm operators who take the initiative to report on infections will therefore be fully reimbursed for their culled animals.
As of now, the central and local governments have each shouldered half of total reimbursement, but in principle, the central government will pay a greater share of the compensation. As local governments have yet to submit their assessed reimbursed amounts, the Executive Yuan will decide how much to divvy with local governments after conducting estimations as well as appraising these governments' financial situations. If funding for the program is insufficient, the Executive Yuan will utilize the second reserve fund.
Regarding farm operators' concerns about loans, the vice premier stated that aside from existent measures the government hopes to extend loan repayment deadlines by at least another six months. At present total farmer loans amount to NT$2.8 billion (US$92 million), and actuarial analysis will be conducted to determine how many of those loans are to farmers affected by bird flu. The interest of these "bird-flu loans" will be shouldered by the Executive Yuan, and the second reserve fund will pay for any shortage.
The vice premier stated that he has instructed the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) to take inventory of the rendering plants and incinerators in counties and cities nationwide. Zones for collaboration as well as timings for incineration of dead animal carcasses will be planned in advance. The EPA will also draw up measures concerning certification of vehicles for transporting dead carcasses.
The government has also taken steps in response to local governments' manpower and resource shortages, Chang said. For instance, the nation's military has set up contact windows and is assisting with disinfection-related work as well as transporting carcasses of poultry.
Additionally, cross-ministerial mechanisms for material dispatch and related monitoring and early warning will be established. A four-tier supply-chain system will also be set up. Counties and cities will be the first to provide supplies; if demand cannot be met, the Council of Agriculture (COA) will step in, followed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and finally the Ministry of Economic Affairs' production plants. A monitoring mechanism and support network will also be established.
The MOHW is helping the COA monitor the health of epidemic-prevention personnel. The military hospital system has also joined in the effort, as Ministry of National Defense (MND) personnel have participated in the control effort since last week. The MOHW and MND are supporting each other and cross-checking all epidemic-prevention personnel to ensure their health.
The government will continue monitoring commodity prices and anticipates citizens may begin buying more pork rather than poultry because of the outbreak. The vice premier asked the COA to publicize information about consumption of healthy and safe chickens to prevent public panic. The government will do all it can to maintain the stability of relevant meat prices, Chang pledged.