WattAgNett: Obama denies Iowa avian influenza disaster declaration

Disaster declaration would have provided unemployment assistance, disaster care management and crisis counseling for Iowans affected by avian influenza

Release Date: 2015-07-13

U.S. President Barack Obama has denied a disaster declaration for avian influenza, submitted by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad.

Branstad, according to a report from KWWL, sent a letter to the Obama administration, asking for unemployment assistance, disaster care management and crisis counseling for those people affected by the avian influenza outbreak in Iowa’s Wright, Sioux, Webster and Buena Vista counties. Branstad also requested a tonnage waiver on federal roads that would allow poultry carcasses to be disposed of in a more timely fashion.

U.S. Sen Joni Ersnt, an Iowa Republican, said she was “extremely disappointed” with the Obama administration’s decision to deny the disaster assistance.

"The crippling impact has devastated Iowa's poultry industry, farmers, producers, and local communities," said Ernst.

According to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), there have been 75 detections of avian influenza in Iowa, affecting 31.7 million birds. The last confirmed case was on June 17, when 1 million laying hens in a Wright County flock were affected.

Brandstad and his staff are considering appealing Obama’s decision to deny the disaster declaration.

Bookmark WATTAgNet’s avian influenza update page, for the latest news and analysis on avian influenza and its impact on the poultry industry.