Vilsack Calls for Poultry Insurance

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the U.S. needs a disaster program for the poultry and turkey industries.

"Whether it's a risk management insurance-type program, or a disaster program, or a combination, it really will reinforce the biosecurity aspects of this," Vilsack said in July at the Avian Influenza Outbreak Conference in Des Moines.

"It will reinforce the need for us to be focused on trying to mitigate the consequences, and it will make sure that everyone understands what the rules are in advance. It will just become easier and more efficient to operate."

Bills are being discussed and developed to create a program similar to the one the livestock industry has. S