France extends new aid for poultry farmers hit by bird flu fears

France announced Ђ6 million (US$7.3 million) in new aid to poultry farmers on Monday to counter a sharp fall in sales because of &to=http://english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/365/16320_.html' target=_blank>bird flu.

Agriculture Minister Dominique Bussereau said most of the new money would be set aside for direct aid for farmers and others in the industry, with Ђ1 million to teach consumers about the safety of fully cooked poultry.

The aid was designed to help an industry suffering from a 20-percent drop in sales in the first two weeks of 2006 compared to a year earlier, the ministry said, summarizing Bussereau's comments.