ST. PAUL – Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced he is recommending $18 million as part of his $842 million bonding bill to renovate and upgrade veterinary labs at the University of Minnesota. The labs improvements would be used for research with large animals and animal pathogens like porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) outbreaks and the recent avian flu outbreaks in Minnesota. Representative Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin) is the minority lead on the Minnesota House agriculture finance committee and released the following statement:
“As a state, we need to act now to help farmers battle these diseases,” said Rep. Poppe. “Minnesota is the top turkey producing state in the country and is second in the country in pork sales. The Governor’s bonding bill will help agriculture. With historically low interest rates, it makes good sense.
“Last year we took the first step and appropriated some research money to combat PEDv. But we need to improve and upgrade the state’s research facilities so our experts are ready to respond at the first sign of an outbreak. Minnesota’s farmers deserve nothing less.”