*********************************************

The Government today (May 16) announced details of a package of financial assistance for chicken stall owners whose stalls have been declared as infected area by the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation.

The package will consist of three parts including compensation of each bird slaughtered; grant of a one-off lump sum ex-gratia payment to chicken stalls; and waiver of rentals for affected stalls.

As for compensation for each bird slaughtered, the rate will be $34 for chicken; $30 for pigeon; $8 for quail and $50 for partridge and others.

Meanwhile, a one-off lump sum ex-gratia payment of $24,000 will be granted to large chicken stalls (paying monthly rent of more than $4,000) while small to medium chicken stalls (paying monthly rent of less than $4,000) will be offered a grant of $15,000 as a one-off ex-gratia lump sum payment.

In addition, those stalls affected will have their rental waived during the closure period.

End/Wednesday, May 16, 2001

NNNN