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Committee hears turkey‑industry request for grants to fund bird‑deterrent lasers; amendment to ban raw pet food from culled birds fails
Summary
House File 1503, a proposal to establish grants for bird‑deterrent equipment (often called "turkey lasers") and other biosecurity measures, was laid over for further consideration; an amendment to ban sale of raw pet food made from depopulated birds failed on a 7–6 roll call and a broader amendment was withdrawn.
Representative Buerkle presented House File 1503, a bill to establish a grant program to help poultry producers install wild‑bird deterrents and other prevention measures to reduce the risk of high‑path avian influenza on commercial farms.
Ashley Coles, executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, testified that turkey producers have installed more than 100 lasers across farms in Minnesota and that the devices — green, slow‑moving, randomized laser beams used to discourage birds from landing near barns — are widely used at airports, vineyards and orchards. Coles said the devices…
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