The Minnesota Turkey Growers Association is calling for a vaccination strategy to help protect flocks as the industry continues to grapple with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Executive Director Ashley Kohls says vaccines exist, but none are currently authorized for use in U-S poultry. Kohls says members met with lawmakers and USDA officials in Washington D.C. earlier this fall to discuss avian flu…
“To continue the conversation of let’s develop at least a vaccine strategy of if we’re allowed to utilize high-path avian influenza vaccine what does that look like? Where do we start? Do we start with breeder birds? Can it be commercially applied to all of the turkey industry and what impact does that have?”
Countries such as China, Mexico and France have used bird flu vaccines in poultry. However, adopting a similar approach in the U-S could trigger trade restrictions and threaten poultry exports.
The Minnesota Turkey Growers Association is headquartered in Buffalo.
(content: in part, courtesy MNN)
