Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro introduced a proposed state budget that includes millions of dollars to help the state’s $7.1 billion poultry industry with its highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) prevention and recovery efforts.
Shapiro, along with representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and State Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Scott Martin, met with poultry producers at Silver Valley Farm in Lancaster County on March 29 to discuss the efforts to battle the state’s continuing problem with HPAI. After having been the state with the third most flocks affected by HPAI in 2022, it has been the nation’s hardest-hit state so far in 2023.
Thirty-one commercial poultry flocks and 36 backyard flocks have been affected by HPAI since April 2022, leading to the loss of more than 4.6 million birds in the state.
“Hi-path avian influenza is one of the most significant animal public health emergencies in American history – and it’s hitting us hard here in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said. “I came here to Silver Valley Farm this morning to meet with some of our farmers and hear their concerns – because I know they’re worried, and I want them to know that my administration is standing with them and working every single day to protect their flocks. Pennsylvania’s poultry industry contributes over $7 billion to our economy and supports over 26,000 jobs, and we are committed to working together in a bipartisan manner to support our farmers and ensure they have the resources they need.”
According to a press release from Shapiro’s office, the state’s proposed budget offers the following allocations to assist farmers as the HPAI outbreak persists:
- $25 million for the recovery fund helping fill the gap between federal indemnity funds and the real losses poultry businesses are facing.
- $6 million to support the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Lab System and reimburse poultry businesses for supplies for the 549 privately employed, trained technicians taking samples to rule out or confirm suspected infections.
- $1 million to support the PA Center for Poultry Excellence at PennAg Industries that offers training, equipment and staffing behind the HPAI response.
- $58.9 million for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund – a $1.2 million increase to the fund that supports veterinary research at Penn State and the work of Penn State Extension, which provides training, expertise, and direct, hands-on support in the field to help ensure poultry producers understand biosecurity.
- More than $34 million for the University of Pennsylvania’s Veterinary Activities and Center for Infectious Disease to help keep Pennsylvania at the forefront of disease detection, prevention, and response.
- More than $2 million for agriculture research, including animal health research to keep Pennsylvania on the cutting edge of virus control and source-tracing for the avian flu challenge, and for the many other challenges Pennsylvania agriculture faces every day of every year.
