Dive Brief: 

• Iowa's Department of Natural Resources granted permits to a Massachusetts-based company that would allow it to use portable incinerators in three counties to help in the disposal of several million birds infected with avian flu. 
• The disposal continues to be a struggle for officials. Richard Crouch, chairman of the Mills County Board of Supervisors, said he would prevent the birds from being sent to his county, although he was quickly disavowed of the notion that he could do so, by the county’s attorney. "Why would you want to bring in several million birds" that could still be carrying bird flu, Crouch asked.
• Landfill operators also expressed concern over handling the birds for environmental reasons and fear of contamination. 

Dive Insight:

Across the country, local and federal officials have been dealing with the unwieldy problem of disposing of millions of avian flu-infected birds. The number of dead birds, estimated at 20 million, means Iowa and other states will likely need multiple disposal options; landfill, on-site burial, composting and incineration.