PM seeks more funds to combat avian flu

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says the best available strategy to combat avian influenza is to control it at the level of animals and seek more funds for the purpose.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said the best available strategy to combat avian influenza was to control it at the level of animals and sought more funds for the purpose.

HT Image

"The Government of India supports the concept of 'one health' based on an integrated approach to animals and human health," he said addressing the International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza in New Delhi.

"Many pledges were made at the Beijing Conference in January 2006 as well as at Pamako to support avian influenza control and preparedness. Many of them have been fulfilled. However, we need more funding support," he said.

More than 600 delegates from 105 countries and 20 international and inter-governmental organisations are participating in the three-day annual conference which began in New Delhi on Wednesday.