FAO donates Rp15 billion to combat AI in W. Sumatra

Padang (ANTARA News) - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has donated Rp15 billion to combat the spread of bird flu (Avian Influenza/AI) in West Sumatra, especially in the districts of Lima-Puluh Kota, Padang Pariaman, and Pesisir Selatan, a local Animal Husbandry Service official, Edwardi, said here on Friday.

"The donation from FAO will be spent on bird flu eradication programs in Lima-Puluh Kota, Padang Pariaman, and Pesisir Selatan districts because up to December this year there were still outbreaks in those regions," Edwardi said.

He said the provincial administration would make every effort to free the province from the bird flu epidemic in 2008.

The Rp15 billion was part of a Rp190 billion FAO donation for 12 provinces in Indonesia for the training of around 114 new bird flu supervisory officers.

"The officers will be spread among all districts and municipalities in West Sumatra, especially in the three districts which remain susceptible to bird flu ," he said, adding that in addition to the donation, FAO would also station a few of its own officers in the province for the next two years.