Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Amin Abaza said that Egypt passed the bird flu crisis. He pointed out to the fact that self-sufficiency of chickens could be achieved within six months.

Minister Abaza stated that slaughtering 60-kg calves was considered a crime against the Egyptian community because if these calves were left to grow for more 6 months would reach 10 times its weight, which would be of great impact on the national product.

Abaza stressed on the necessity of breeding cows and calves that achieve highest growth rate. He also stated that the State was keen on applying the prices of the agricultural products according to the criterion supply and demand. Among these products is cotton, which the government does not interfere in its pricing as it is left for the products quality, the exporting level and the market needs.

On the other hand, the minister said that the amendments of the agricultural law will be referred to the People's Assembly in its coming term.

The Minister of Agriculture announced that all infrastructure was completed in the 150 thousand feddan area which represents the total area targeted to be reclaimed in 2006. Moreover, 27 villages were built within the desert hinterland in Upper Egypt on the basis of three villages per each governorate.