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Klobuchar ready to do more if avian flu outbreak warrants it

A U.S. Senator says special appropriations might be necessary to help poultry producers impacted by highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar tells Brownfield so far indemnifications have kept up with the growing number of cases across the country.

“But in the next farm bill, which of course doesn’t get voted on until 2023, we also may make some more permanent changes. There are still issues with indemnification, there’s still issues with surveillance, and if (HPAI) doesn’t just go away or comes back in the fall we’re going to have to respond in a different way out of Washington.”

She says the federal indemnity program is in a much better place compared to the last avian flu outbreak.

“I was there in 2016 (and) remember a farmer collapsing in front of me, a producer, just sobbing (because of) having to kill his animals in a really heinous way. And also, just not even knowing if he was going to get indemnified.”

Klobuchar says legislation she introduced that became part of the current farm bill has helped improve animal disease surveillance and response.