The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) should continue working with state leaders to support poultry and dairy producers impacted by the current bird flu outbreak in Iowa, say U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and the entire Iowa delegation.
“Preventing and mitigating animal disease is a team effort,” Sen. Ernst said in a June 26 statement. “The livelihoods of our farmers, the stability of our local economies, and the broader food supply chain are all on the line, so we must have all hands on deck in the fight against avian flu.”
Sen. Ernst and her home-state colleagues expressed concern about the rapidly spreading H5N1 strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that has recently been confirmed at two turkey operations, an egg-laying facility, and multiple dairy farms in Iowa.
“While our farmers have been grappling with the spread of HPAI among commercial poultry populations for some time, the recent developments of the virus infecting dairy cattle demand immediate and significant attention,” wrote Sen. Ernst and her colleagues in a June 25 letter sent to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Infection among livestock not only complicates containment efforts but also increases the risk of HPAI affecting a broader spectrum of farms in our state.”
Among the five lawmakers who joined Sen. Ernst in signing the letter were U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Ashley Hinson (R-IA).
While Iowa is the first state to proactively implement biosecurity protocols and testing measures for infected dairy farms, the lawmakers want to build on these efforts and requested additional resources from USDA to support impacted poultry and dairy farmers, reinforce state response measures, and provide backing for disease research.
“We urge the USDA to fill the outstanding resource gaps. However, we also would like to express our appreciation for the work already underway,” they wrote. “As HPAI continues to spread, ensuring our producers and state leaders have the tools necessary to mitigate the ongoing threat must remain a top priority for the USDA, especially when working towards complete eradication of the disease.”
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, the Iowa Turkey Federation, the Iowa State Dairy Association, and the North Central Poultry Association support Sen. Ernst for continuing to work on behalf of poultry and egg farmers across the state.
“I’m working hard to ensure our producers and state leaders have the tools they need to stop the spread, and I urge the USDA to join me in making it a top priority,” she said.