(WASHINGTON D.C.) — Senate Agriculture Committee members have written Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins urging her department to broaden its strategy for managing avian flu to include measures for turkeys and dairy herds.
“Since the beginning of the outbreak, the virus has impacted more than 160 million birds, including more than 18.6 million turkeys, and nearly 1,000 dairy herds across the country,” the letter stated. “We appreciated your commitment to make addressing avian flu a top priority during your confirmation process and believe this strategic plan is an important first step in this effort… We request an update on the Department’s plan for ensuring turkey producers, dairy and other impacted livestock and wildlife species are covered under the plan. In addition, we request the Department develop a strategy and timeline for working with foreign trading partners to ensure potential vaccination of avian flu in poultry and cattle does not disrupt trade.”
Signatories included Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the Committee, along with Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).
