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Minnesota Congressman worried about A-I

IMG_5325The ranking member of the House Ag committee is from Minnesota, the state hardest hit by this year’s Avian Influenza outbreak in commercial poultry flocks.

Congressman Collin Peterson told farm broadcasters in Washington, D.C. that he’s met with turkey farmers in Wilmer, Minnesota where the state’s emergency center has been set up, “They’re in shock and I don’t think they know what to do at this point. And there’s questions.”

Although wild ducks and geese are suspected of spreading the disease, Peterson says, so far none tested have been found positive for  A-I.  He says there’s no question the poultry industry is taking this hard, “Obviously, Hormel is worried. Jennie-O is worried. I’m worried. You know, the industry people I’ve talked to, the farmers – but, we’ve got to deal with it.”

And the fact that A-I has affected some large chicken operations in Iowa, he says, is huge.

Peterson says the federal government has released $84 Million dollars to deal with Avian Flu so far but a lot more will be needed and he doesn’t expect to get it through the appropriations process.

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