NTF Urges Support for HPAI, Farm Bill Animal Disease Programs at House Ag Hearing

Last week, NTF Vice Chairman John Zimmerman testified before members of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy at the hearing, “A Review of Animal Agriculture Stakeholder Priorities.” Zimmerman commended USDA on its efforts in the fight against HPAI but urged Congress to provide the resources necessary for the department to hire new veterinarians and to continue indemnifying farms where HPAI is detected. He also called on USDA to focus on developing a vaccine against the current HPAI strain and to negotiate with our trading partners so that vaccination does not disrupt the poultry and egg industries’ ability to export. In addition, Zimmerman strongly emphasized that the next Farm Bill should retain the three-tiered animal disease preparedness program. Click here for video of the hearing.