Iowa extends bird flu disaster proclamation through August

Since June 17, the USDA has reported that over 48 million birds were affected by avian influenza (H5N2) with about 80 percent of them being egg-laying hens. The conference was closed to the public and the media except for opening speeches by Vilsack and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad.

The organization, which represents egg and meat chicken companies as well as businesses handling turkeys, ducks and breeding stock, opted to largely close the meetings, saying they wanted participants to feel comfortable talking freely.

Vilsack says the USDA is preparing for recurrence of the virus spread by wild migrating birds and plans to ask Congress to consider a poultry disaster program similar to one that exists for livestock producers.

A proposed insurance program was cut from the 2014 farm bill as Congress sought to reduce spending, Vilsack said.

Vilsack was hopeful an effective vaccine for chickens would be available soon and it would be a decision in each U.S. state whether to permit it given that some trading partners might bar imports countrywide or regionally of poultry or eggs if birds due to the vaccinations. By the end of September, infected farms should be ready to restock, he said.

Top Ag officials are in Des Moines today for a summit on the effects of this spring’s bird flu outbreak.

Iowa, the nation’s prime egg-producing state, was the toughest hit with greater than 31.7 million birds killed, though the outbreak has stalled with the hotter summer time climate.