At the meeting, Klobuchar heard from farmers about the effect the avian flu has had on their family businesses; called for continued federal assistance and for an effective coordinated response across local, state, and federal efforts 

Klobuchar recently spoke with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to ensure that needed resources continue to be made available to support affected turkey growers 

ST. PAUL, MN – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar met with Minnesota turkey growers and other key officials today in Litchfield today to discuss immediate actions to stem the avian flu. At the meeting, Klobuchar heard from farmers about the effect that the avian flu has had on their family businesses, and she called for continued federal assistance and for an effective coordinated response across local, state, and federal efforts. Klobuchar recently spoke with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to ensure that needed resources continue to be made available to support affected turkey growers.

“As the number of affected birds continues to rise, I am increasingly concerned about the spread of the avian flu and its impact on Minnesota poultry growers,” Klobuchar said. “I’ve been pushing for federal assistance every step of the way and have called for an effective coordinated response across local, state, and federal efforts. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that sufficient support remains available for poultry producers as we take action against the virus and work on ways to prevent outbreaks like this from happening in the future.”

Governor Mark Dayton has declared a state of emergency over the continued spread of avian flu. While the avian flu does not pose a threat to humans or to our food supply, it is a serious threat to our state’s vital turkey and chicken industries. The disease has so far impacted nearly six percent of Minnesota’s turkey production, with more than 2.6 million turkeys across 47 farms and 15 counties being affected. The disease has also spread to a commercial chicken farm in Clay County, MN.

Klobuchar also met with turkey growers, and with Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson, Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, and other state and federal officials earlier this month to discuss the importance of a coordinated response to the avian flu. She has been in repeated touch with Secretary Vilsack to urge the USDA to ensure that needed resources are available to quickly contain the disease, and she sent a letter encouraging Vilsack to continue working with state and local agencies and stakeholders while ensuring all available measures and resources are available to help address the spread of the virus. The letter also encouraged the USDA to distribute indemnity payments to turkey growers experiencing losses in a timely fashion.