WASHINGTON D.C. (WTAQ) – U.S. senators will look for answers this week on fighting the bird flu that killed poultry animals in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest this spring.
The Senate Agriculture committee will hold a hearing Tuesday afternoon to the examine the effects of the disease, and ways to protect poultry farms.
Wednesday, the Senate’s governmental affairs panel — chaired by Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson — will hold a similar hearing.
The USDA’s chief veterinary officer, John Clifford, is scheduled to testify at both proceedings.
Johnson invited 5 witnesses including Scott Schneider, owner of Jefferson’s Nature Link Farm and the president of the Wisconsin Poultry and Egg Industries’ Association.
The Badger State had 10 bird flu cases this spring, resulting in the deaths of 1.75 million chickens and turkeys. Neighboring Minnesota and Iowa had many more cases and deaths.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
