Raisers of poultry and cattle which have been culled to prevent the spread of such diseases as bird flu, foot-and-mouth and "blue ear," are to receive state compensation equal to 70 percent of the selling price of the culled animals.

Under a recent prime ministerial decision, the raisers are to get 25,000 Vietnamese dong (VND) (nearly 1.6 U.S. dollars) per kg of live pigs, 30,000 VND (nearly 1.9 dollars) per kg of buffaloes, cows, bulls, goats, sheep and deer, and 23,000 VND (over 1.4 dollars) per kg of chickens, ducks and geese.

The state will also freeze bank loans already borrowed to develop livestock raising for one or two years, depending on the kind of domestic animals, and offer financial assistance to veterinary cadres, including vaccine injectors.

Fowls and cattle in a number of Vietnamese provinces have been stricken by bird flu, foot-and-mouth disease, and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), known as "blue ear" disease, in recent months.