Czechs want to split bird flue costs with EU

The Czech Republic will ask the EU to cover half of the expenses on combating bird flu in eastern Bohemia, Agriculture Minister Petr Gandalovic has said in Brussels. Gandalovic claimed the Czech Republic is entitled to the refund of about CZK 15 million. According to Minister Gandalovic, Czechs will not ask for any more assistance unless European countries start closing their markets for the Czech chicken.