We had not had highly pathogenic avian influenza in the U.S. for over 20 years.

Migratory waterfowl certainly do mix on the nesting grounds in the Arctic. The preponderate movement of this virus (from Asia to Europe) appears to be going the wrong direction to come to us — although it's not impossible. But for this season, I would suggest we are without risk at this time.

Then we had another 50-kilometer buffer zone imposed on us by our Japanese trading partners.

I'm not going to affirm that. I'll just say he's a serious student of the law.

It's important to clarify that the avian influenza virus is not new to wild birds.

They had virtually an unlimited budget, an open check book. We're not going to have that.