Witnesses urge faster vaccine approvals, wider indemnity and stronger surveillance to combat avian influenza and AMPV

John Zimmerman, a second-generation Minnesota turkey farmer and former chairman of the National Turkey Federation, told the House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry that the turkey industry is suffering a “one-two punch” from highly pathogenic avian influenza and avian metapneumovirus.

Zimmerman said AMPV has infected “between 60 and 80 percent of turkey flocks nationwide,” and that in Minnesota “127 cases of HPAI in commercial turkeys have led to the loss of more than 6,600,000 birds.” He urged the subcommittee “to make AMPV an eligible disease under USDA’s Livestock Indemnity Program.”

Why it matters: Witnesses described widespread flock losses, credit-market stress for affected farms and continuing market volatility for eggs and turkey. They said relief and technical responses now will…