The USDA is stockpiling up to 500 million doses of a new vaccine for avian influenza or bird flu.  Some in the poultry industry are opposed to vaccinating because of the international market consequences. Iowa Poultry Association Executive Director Randy Olson says even with those concerns, its good the Ag Department is stockpiling the vaccine if needed.

He says the biggest challenge with vaccinating for AI is that it could curb U.S. poultry exports.

Olson says instead of relying on vaccine, Iowa’s poultry producers are ramping up their biosecurity efforts to prevent the disease from reoccurring in the spring.

Last year, operations in 15 states were affected by high path avian influenza.  The virus claimed 50 million birds mostly from egg laying facilities and cost the industry $3.3 billion.