Poultry and egg producers hit hard by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N2 infections are getting some help. The federal government’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) granted Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack authority to issue emergency assistance for poultry and egg producers whose flocks were hit with the virus. And the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committee leadership called for emergency assistance to be distributed to producers.
The virus has spread to 14 states and affected more than 100 farms, resulting in the depopulation of 15 million birds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“I applaud OMB for recognizing the urgency and gravity of this situation,” said [Agriculture Committee Chairmen Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas]. “I’m glad these producers who suffered significant losses will get the assistance they need to help them move forward and begin rebuilding. I also applaud poultry and egg producers for proactively doing everything within their power to protect the health of their flocks.”
“As I have said before: America’s farmers and ranchers, I’ve got your back. If it’s up to me, this kind of cooperation in Washington will continue for the sake of rural America.”