WASHINGTON – The national turkey and chicken trade organizations reported that the ongoing avian flu outbreak has cost the government $661 million. Also, the organizations said, the flu added to consumer grocery store tabs because of shortages created by the slaughter of58 million birds in an effort slow the spread of the virus. Farmers who raise the birds have lost more than $1 billion, the report said. Overall the industry has lost more, although the total hasn’t been calculated yet by agricultural economists. The data were released in an annual update drawn largely from government statistics.
