KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment has released Rs 500 million to the Department of Livestock Services to compensate poultry farmers affected by the recent outbreak of bird flu in various districts of the country.

The Department had requested funds from the Ministry to distribute compensation to farmers who have suffered financial losses due to bird flu.

Department spokesperson Dr Mukul Upadhyay said that the released funds will be used to provide compensation up to 75 percent of the loss to the affected poultry farmers.

About 700,000 birds, 1.1 million eggs and 300,000 kg of feed have been destroyed in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kavrepalanchok, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Mahottari, Bara, Chitwan and Nawalparasi, where bird flu infections were detected. This is reported to have caused a loss worth Rs 700 million.

According to the Bird Flu Disease Control (Fourth Amendment) 2074, there is a provision to provide compensation of up to 75 percent of the damage to the concerned owner after evaluating the culled poultry, poultry products and bird feed.