Luján Statement on USDA, HHS Efforts to Reduce the Spread of Avian Flu

Announcement Follows Luján’s Call to Support Dairy and Cattle Producers

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), issued the following statement on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) new actions to reduce the impact and spread of H5N1:

“I am glad that the Biden administration is taking action to provide vital assistance to support producers and reduce the impact and spread of H5N1. This outbreak has been a challenge for our producers who should not have to bear the costs alone. These actions taken together are an important step to protect the economy and public health. I am glad that USDA and HHS heeded my call to provide more resources and program support to producers and continue working together to leverage a strong federal response. 

“This swift action is critical for New Mexico’s dairy and agriculture economies. As a member of the Senate Agriculture and HELP Committees, I am fighting to make sure our producers get the support that they need and deserve, and that the federal government does everything possible to mitigate this outbreak.” 

Background:

Last week, Senator Luján urged the Biden administration to expand a federal program to allow cattle producers to receive resources needed to stop the spread of the avian flu.

Highly Pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza remains a persistent threat to animal and human health, and the recent outbreak in U.S. dairy cattle and one human case is concerning. While the milk supply is currently safe, New Mexico farmers should not have to bear the costs of preventing future pandemics alone.

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