LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Agri-Business Association and other Michigan agricultural organizations supported the Avian Influenza Research and Response Act, new legislation led by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin to address ongoing detections of highly pathogenic avian flu in dairy cattle. You can read more about this legislation here. “The Avian Influenza Research and Response Act takes important steps to support Michigan and U.S. agriculture as we work together to slow the spread of HPAI,” said Michigan Agri-Business Association President Chuck Lippstreu. “Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin has stood with Michigan agriculture throughout this emergency – reaching out proactively to industry, convening experts to stay on top of the latest developments, and now delivering common-sense legislation that will strengthen critical research and biosecurity education efforts.” The Avian Influenza Research and Response Act would: Prioritize highly pathogenic avian influenza research under USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. Codify in law recent USDA rulemaking that allows for dairy producers to be compensated for loss of milk production due to avian influenza infection. Direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Dairy Biosecurity Education and Training program.
