Peterson Leads Call for Continued Avian Flu Assistance

Press Release

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson on Friday led a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack commending him for the department's efforts to combat the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak and urging additional steps be taken to assist impacted poultry growers.

"Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District has been ground zero for the avian influenza outbreak," Peterson said. "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."

The letter urged continued assistance in three areas -- complete biosecurity research in a timely manner to ensure industry can take immediate steps before fall, complete bilateral trade talks with international partners to ensure vaccine usage will not harm export sales, and complete research and development of a viable commercial vaccine.

Source