With hot, humid temperatures across much of the country, outbreaks of avian influenza have finally stopped. But following a recent House Agriculture Committee hearing on this subject, lawmakers want more assistance for impacted poultry growers who are still suffering from the loss of more than 48 million birds.
In a letter sent to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack recently, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) and 28 other committee members commended Secretary Vilsack for the department’s efforts to combat the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak and urged additional steps be taken to assist impacted poultry growers.
“I appreciate the work done by both USDA and Minnesota officials thus far but as summer turns to fall, there is concern that we could see a reoccurrence. We need to do everything we can to be prepared should the disease return in the future,” said Peterson, whose district has been “ground zero” for the avian influenza outbreak.
The letter urged continued assistance in three areas:
- Complete biosecurity research in a timely manner to ensure industry can take any immediate steps before the fall. This critical research will help make sure that any financial requirements by industry, and certainly the federal government, are practices that are based on science, will improve biosecurity and reduce the impact of this disease on farmers, communities and consumers.
- Complete bilateral trade talks with key international partners to ensure that any vaccine usage will not harm export sales.
- Complete research and development of a viable commercial vaccine, so that it is available for fall should it be needed.
