Press Release: Avian flu: Commission proposes to allow EU financial aid for eggs and poultry sector

The European Commission tabled a proposal on 29 March 2006 to allow the European Union budget to share the cost of market support measures in the eggs and poultry sector. Since the beginning of the recent avian flu crisis, consumption of poultry and eggs has fallen dramatically in some Member States, leading to a sharp reduction in prices. The proposal will be sent to the European Parliament and the Council, hopefully for adoption by the end of April 2006. Once the legal base has been adopted, Member States will have to submit their proposed measures for Commission approval.