The U.S. Department of Agriculture has revised its highly pathogenic avian influenza response.  As part of the plan, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will now use a flat reimbursement rate for all depopulation and virus elimination activities.  Iowa Poultry Association Executive Director Randy Olson says he’s pleased APHIS is moving ahead with these changes.

He says the biggest changes USDA is making include the flat rate payment and the streamlining of their bird flu response.

Olson says there are a variety of depopulation methods that producers can use and ventilation shutdown has been proven effective.  He says despite some activist concerns, it’s a humane method that quickly depopulates the flock and protect any remaining healthy birds from contracting the flu.

Under the APHIS response revision, turkeys will be reimbursed at a rate of $3.55 per bird, layers at $6.45 per bird and broilers at $1.15 per bird.