Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has requested $500,000 for avian influenza response efforts as part of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s fiscal 2017 budget request.

Northey requested a $500,000 appropriation to aid in preparing for and potentially responding to a foreign animal disease outbreak, such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The funds would be used to increase the capacity of the animal industry bureau and provide resources to better equip and prepare for future responses.

“The USDA has identified the recent avian influenza outbreak as the worst animal health emergency in U.S. history and unfortunately, Iowa was at the center of it. Animal agriculture adds so much to our state and the requested funds would help our Department continue to prepare for another animal disease situation, whether it is avian influenza or another disease,” Northey said.

This request, among others, was made in a public meeting with Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds.