SAINT PAUL, MN—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.
Representative Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, issued the following statement on Thursday's action:
"It's my hope the emergency funding can help put a stop to the avian flu outbreak before it spreads to even more farms," Bennett said. "It's great to see the House act quickly and on a bipartisan basis to address this growing problem before it spreads to farms in our area."
As a member of the House Agriculture Finance Committee, Bennett participated in Thursday's joint hearing of the House Agriculture Committee to receive an update on avian influenza response and management.
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