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Legislature addresses avian influenza issues

Monday, April 20, 2015

By Rep. Paul Anderson

The House Agriculture Policy and Finance Committees held a joint informational hearing last week to hear from experts working to stop the spread of the H5N2 avian influenza that is attacking Minnesota’s poultry industry. At last count, 26 farms have been affected in 14 counties, with at least 12 additional cases reported in the past week. Kandiyohi and Stearns, the two leading turkey producing counties in Minnesota, have the most barns that have been hit.

The lead testifier at last Thursday’s hearing was Dr. John Cilfford, the chief veterinarian with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington. He reported that $15 million has been allocated to Minnesota to aid in the fight against the disease, and that Ag. Secretary Tom Vilsack is “on top of the situation” and has requested additional funding for Minnesota.

It’s hoped that warmer weather will aid in slowing down the spread of the disease. The virus cannot survive temperatures over 80 degrees, and upcoming summer weather will help curtail the disease. However, according to Dr. Bill Hartmann, head of the state’s Board of Animal Health, even if the disease is stopped now, more cases are likely this fall when temps cool off again and migratory birds begin their annual flights south.

Dr. Carol Cordona, from the University of Minnesota, gave background information on the disease, which is thought to have originated in Southeast Asia. It migrated across the Bering Strait and came down through Alaska and hit the Pacific coast this past fall. Cases were first reported in British Columbia and then in our western states of Washington, Oregon, and California. When asked how the disease is spreading here in Minnesota and getting inside barns, Dr. Cardona said they really don’t know yet. “We are looking at most likely sources, looking at anything that comes in contact with the birds,” Cardona said. “We are looking at trucks and drivers, for example, and farms are changing the way supplies are being delivered. Trucks are stopping at the farm gate and unloading their product to another truck that stays on that farm.”

John Zimmerman, a producer from Northfield, told committee members that he appreciated Governor Dayton’s executive order lifting weight restrictions for trucks delivering feed and hauling turkeys to market. “It took 10 trucks to haul my turkeys yesterday instead of 12, and anything I can do to keep outside sources off my farm is a good thing.” He added that producers have always employed bio-security measures, but they have been ramped up now.

On a related note, the House suspended its rules last Thursday to move along and quickly pass emergency legislation (H.F. 2225) that provides additional funding for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Board of Animal Health. The nearly $1 million will go to help cover the additional cost those agencies are facing as they test samples and work on the disease nearly around the clock, seven days a week. In addition, cooperative agreements have been submitted to the USDA to facilitate the additional funding expected to come from Washington. That process may take a couple of weeks to complete, and we want to insure that when the funding does arrive, it can be put to immediate use on the ground here in Minnesota.

 

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