She made the comment while speaking to the Vietnam News Agency during the APEC Capacity Building Seminar on Avian Influenza in Hoi An ancient town, central Quang Nam province on September 13.

Topics addressed at a recent seminar focused on preventing avian influenza (AI) at its source and compensation for breeders.

“One thing that is very interesting in Vietnam is that after the first outbreak of avian influenza, Vietnam reviewed its compensation policy and eventually changed it,” Mrs Anni said.

She said her organisation believes quite strongly that compensation is important and it should be implemented by the government or by a state-owned agency.

The FAO has provided technical assistance and training as well as materials to help Vietnam combat any future AI outbreak.

During the last two years, Mrs Anni, who works at the Livestock Information, Sector Analysis and Policy Branch of the Animal Production and Health Division of the FAO’s Agriculture Department, has visited Vietnam nine times and she said she enjoyed working with the Vietnamese government and people.