In a Nov. 5 letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a group of U.S. senators requested adjustments to indemnity rules that apply for outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The letter was signed by Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue of Georgia, where the poultry industry has a $28 billion economic impact.
"Georgia is the number one broiler producer in the country, which means one case of avian influenza could greatly impact our state's economy," said Perdue. "Fortunately, we have not seen an outbreak this migration period. I will continue working with USDA and Georgia's Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, who has led the effort in Georgia on biosecurity, communication, and preparedness, to make sure Georgia's poultry industry is prepared should we find ourselves dealing with the worst-case scenario."
According to the letter, which was signed by both Georgia Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue, current regulations for HPAI do not allow for splitting indemnity payments between owners and growers. Contract growers, who own the poultry house facilities but not the birds, are left vulnerable in the event of an outbreak, since they are liable for the facilities in which birds are produced. The senators noted that the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is drafting an interim rule to allow split indemnity payments.
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