Legislators Rally Around Farmers Hit By Bird Flu In Budget
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers are hoping to send more help to turkey farmers and the state as they fight a deadly bird flu outbreak.
The House was set to vote on a budget bill for the state's agricultural agencies with a sharp focus on the growing bird flu outbreak. Eighty farms had been hit with the deadly virus as of Monday, costing farmers more than 5 million birds.
The budget would fund the state's response efforts and may reimburse farmers for costs not covered by the federal government. A proposed amendment would open up a state loan program to farmers whose flocks were depleted by the virus.
A vote was expected later Monday.
It's a bipartisan effort at the Capitol to aid turkey farmers. The Democrat-controlled Senate is also considering similar proposals.
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