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Work continues to reopen trade doors following avian flu outbreak

The leader of the Minnesota Turkey Growers says work continues to reopen trade doors following the avian influenza outbreak.

Steve Olson tells Brownfield USDA is in talks with trading partners who banned turkey exports from the U.S. once the virus hit.

“To help them understand how we use the vaccine; how it’s different than how it might be in some other parts of the world.  So we’re hopeful.”

Those countries have threatened continued bans on turkey from the U.S. if a vaccine is used to protect flocks from avian flu.

Olson says exports make up about 12 to 15 percent of Minnesota’s annual turkey production, but ultimately the health of the birds is more important than potential trade ramifications.

“The reason we’d use a vaccine (is) if we get to a point where that was the best option we have to protect the health of those flocks; ultimately that’s the goal.  If that means that we have to sacrifice our export markets for a period of time, then that’s what we’ll do.”

According to the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, turkey exports in the first half of 2015 were down more than 20 percent and value off 15 percent. Mexico and Canada are the top two turkey markets.