St. Paul- The Minnesota House of Representatives declared an urgency, suspending the rules Thursday to take up legislation (HF 2225) providing emergency funds to the Department of Agriculture and Board of Animal Health in order to better prevent and respond to the avian influenza outbreak that has devastated Minnesota turkey flocks. The House of Representatives voted unanimously in favor of this measure.
To date, 14 counties in Minnesota have been affected by avian influenza including Ottertail, Roseau, Kandiyohi, Stearns, Cottonwood, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lyon, Meeker, Nobles, Pope, Redwood, Swift and Watonwan.
“Thank you to my colleagues in the House who voted to suspend the rules in order to address the avian flu crisis that has affected the turkey industry here in Minnesota,” said Swedzinski. “Numerous turkey farms in southwestern Minnesota have been affected and this funding will go towards emergency efforts to contain the outbreak.”
The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committees held a joint hearing Thursday morning to receive an update on the avian influenza response and management.
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