Iowa's egg producers have had to destroy one-sixth of chickens due to outbreak of Avian Flu
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on leaders of the House Committee on Agriculture to hold a hearing on establishing a federal poultry insurance program to provide needed assistance to farmers in Iowa and across the nation. This year, due to the recent Avian Flu outbreak, one-sixth of Iowa's egg producing chickens have had to be destroyed leaving farmers without a safety net to protect their livelihood. Loebsack wrote to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture calling on them to hold a hearing to discuss whether a federal poultry insurance program is needed to address future natural disasters similar to the Avian Flu outbreak.
"The men and women who put food own our tables deserve a discussion by lawmakers to decide if a federal poultry insurance program is warranted to assist when unforeseen events out of the control of our farmers happen," wrote Loebsack. "It's time we examine other ways to help protect producers who place their livelihood on the line every day. Thank you for your consideration of a hearing to make sure our producers and farmers are getting the aid they need when disasters occur."
A copy of the letter can be found here.
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