German minister bound to save nation from bird flu

Germany's acting agriculture minister meets Friday with state authorities to discuss preventive measures to protect the nation against the threat of bird flu, after outbreaks in Turkey and Romania.

The nation's main farmer's organization criticized the government for failing to order domestic birds be kept indoors, to prevent their exposure to infected migratory birds. Officials have said they were awaiting a decision by the European Union before taking such measures.

Acting Agriculture Minister Juergen Trittin indicated, however, that the question would be discussed during the meeting, and a decision would be made on a regional basis.

"We will decide if in certain regions there is a need to bring birds inside," Trittin told ZDF state television Friday, reports the AP. I.L.