U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) released the following statement in response to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack calling today for the creation of an insurance program to help poultry farmers facing avian flu:
"Avian flu was devastating to Minnesota's turkey growers and egg producers, which is why I was pleased to hear that the Department of Agriculture is calling for an insurance program to help protect poultry producers.
"When wild bird migrations resume in the fall, there is a very real possibility that avian flu will return, and we need to make sure that producers are able to manage that risk. That's why together with the Minnesota Congressional delegation, I urged Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to expedite the USDA's study looking at the feasibility of an insurance program for poultry producers to help protect them against catastrophic losses due to diseases-such as avian influenza.
"And you know, right now as a grower you can insure your barn against all kinds of damage, but the birds inside, at risk of avian flu and other disease outbreaks-well, there's nowhere to turn for that. Our poultry industry is so critical to rural communities in Minnesota, and we need to make sure it can continue to thrive."
Source:senate.gov