Speaking at a meeting on measures to combat the disease in Hanoi on May 11, Mr Dzung said the sectors needed to use their experiences from preventing and controlling bird flu to stop the outbreak.

Early this year, the Prime Minister approved a five-year programme till 2010 to prevent and combat the foot-and-mouth disease with funding of VND250 billion in order to stamp out the disease by 2010. The Finance Ministry has already spent VND51 billion implementing the programme.

Mr Dzung demanded that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development urgently implement the programme, focusing on primary measures in the immediate future to raise the awareness of authorities, services, localities and relevant agencies of the dangerous disease and its bad impact on economic development.

He asked for strict control of animal transport, trade and slaughter in affected areas, and dissemination of information to raise people's awareness of necessary measures to prevent and control the disease.

The foot-and-mouth disease has affected nearly 10,000 cattle and more than 12,000 hogs in 183 communes and wards of 21 provinces and cities. Of the affected animals, 130 cattle and 1,365 hogs have died or have been culled.

The Deputy PM instructed the Finance Ministry to co-operate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Government Office, and the banking sector to propose compensation plans for animal breeders affected by the disease and submit them to the Government for approval.