The Minnesota Senate passed significant legislation to help Minnesota Farmers devastated by last year’s drought and invest in preparations for future challenges including the developing avian flu outbreak.
“Livestock and specialty crop farmers across the state suffered greatly from unprecedented drought conditions last year and this legislation offers important grants that will aid in their recovery efforts,” said Senator Zach Duckworth (R-Lakeville). “Farmers work tirelessly to provide for our state and country – it’s incredibly important that we give them the support they need. This legislation also addresses the looming threat of an avian flu outbreak so that we can work to preemptively avoid an agricultural disaster. Our farmers have experienced significant challenges the past few years and this bill offers relief and support to help them overcome the setbacks they experienced so that they can continue their important work.”
In addition to the urgent need for drought relief, Minnesota farmers are facing impending animal disease threats from African Swine Fever (ASF) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) – just this week the avian flu spread to Minnesota flocks. To prevent an agricultural disaster, this package includes funds for the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) at the University of Minnesota to purchase equipment to test for avian influenza, African Swine Fever, chronic wasting disease (CWD), and other animal diseases. The bill also uses the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Account to purchase poultry drinking water tests for HIPAI. It also included funding for further animal disease testing and response.
The House companion bill, H.F. 3420, passed on the House floor on March 10th. If the House chooses not to concur with the Senate language, then the legislation will go to a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the two bills.