Iowa Governor Eases Manure Rules to Aid Bird Flu Cleanup

Reuters

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed a proclamation this week that will allow poultry and egg producers in 18 counties hit by bird flu to more easily dispose of manure and dead birds from affected farms.

As the number of new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza slows, poultry farms have turned their attention to clean up and repopulation following the worst-ever U.S. outbreak of the virus that has claimed more than 47 million birds nationwide.

Iowa's state of disaster emergency proclamation temporarily loosens a state restriction that otherwise prohibits compost made from dead birds and added agents like wood chips or corn stalks from being sold off as a crop fertilizer.

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