U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack wants Congress to consider a disaster program for poultry producers, similar to what’s in place for livestock producers. The Executive Director of the Minnesota Turkey Grower’s Association, Steve Olson, says whatever is done needs to be thought out carefully.

Olson says the idea of some type of insurance program has been talked about and needs more investigation.

The avian influenza outbreak has killed 48 million birds in 15 states in the Midwest. It’s considered to be one of the worst animal disease disasters to ever hit the United States.