![Senators Urge USDA to Address Avian Flu Immediately](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2022/10/attachment-Chickens-2022-4.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Senators Urge USDA to Address Avian Flu Immediately
A group of Senators is urging the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to take swift action to address the ongoing avian influenza outbreak. The lawmakers recently asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to quickly use funds provided by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2023 Agriculture Appropriations bill.
Led by Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, the lawmakers say, "it is imperative the agency quickly deploy additional resources and work with the states in improving biosecurity measures within the avian supply chain, including the disinfection of sites and the testing and quarantining of affected flocks."
As of January 31st, APHIS confirmed avian flu had been found in 745 flocks in 47 states, and affected over 58 million birds, directly contributing to rising egg prices. In the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Act, Congress provided an increase in annual funding to address the avian influenza outbreak, including over $64 million for improving avian health, and updated guidance on proactively mitigating the spread of disease.
Click Here to read the letter sent to Secretary Vilsack.
If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com
More From PNW Ag Network
![Oregon’s Farm Real Estate Values Surge Past National Average](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2024/06/attachment-Oregon-Ag-Land-Value.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Ag Secretary Emphasizes Importance of Biosecurity against H5N1 Threat](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2024/06/attachment-Biosecurity-H5N1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Ranching With Grizzly Bears: Lessons from Montana](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2024/06/attachment-Rancher-Vs-Grizzly.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![USDA Announces $824M to Protect Livestock Health; Launches Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2024/05/attachment-USDA-Bird-Flu-Dairy-Pilot.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![USDA Expands Support for Producers to Stop the Spread of H5N1 in Dairy Cattle](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2024/05/attachment-USDA-H5N1-Expansion.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![USDA Adds New Rules To Stop Abusive Horse Soring Practices](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2024/04/attachment-TWH.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Wheat, Barley, Corn, Hay: PNW Prospective Plantings Report Released](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2024/03/attachment-PNW-Prospective-Plantings.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![“Product of USA” label gets final, clear guidelines from USDA](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2024/03/attachment-PRODUCT-OF-USA.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![USDA Makes Farm Loan Payment Practical With Online Tools](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2024/01/attachment-Farm-Loan-Payments-Online.jpg?w=980&q=75)