Source:Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 7/8/15


Poultry producers and industry groups told the U.S. Senate Agricultural Committee that what has been described as the nation’s largest animal health emergency has devastated poultry farmers in 14 of 21 states where avian influenza has been detected since December.

Some of the testimony also took aim at early USDA efforts to stem the spread of the H5N2 outbreak that has resulted in the slaughter of an estimated 7.5 million turkeys and 42 million chickens, mostly egg layers, in Midwest commercial poultry operations.

Brad Moline of Moline Farms in Manson, Iowa, told the committee that his family-owned operation has culled 56,000 turkeys, essentially emptying his 12 growing barns and reducing his annual income by two-thirds, according to a report in Omaha World-Herald. “I am living the avian influenza nightmare,” Moline testified, the report notes. Moline also accused federal and state officials of failing to develop a specific strategy to address the outbreak’s potential spread beyond Minnesota and to eliminate communication problems between agencies and producers, according to a report from USA Today.

U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) urged the Senate to launch the hearings. They are expected to continue today with testimony from a scientist from the Avian Biosciences Center at the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, according to a broadcast report from WBOC in Delaware. USDA’s chief veterinary officer is also expected to testify before the committee this afternoon, the station reported.

Meanwhile, USDA officials are warning that avian influenza could be revived in U.S. flocks, especially as bird migrations begin in the fall. Dr. John Clifford, deputy veterinary administrator of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) assured the Senate Ag Committee that avian influenza “has the USDA’s fullest attention,” according to a report in Farm and Dairy. Clifford said the agency has committed more than $500 million to fight the virus and APHIS will seek additional resources as they become necessary.

USDA last week announced additional strategies to improve surveillance of avian influenza in wild birds, which has been described as the gateway for the spread of bird flu in backyard and commercial flocks.

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