After avian influenza devastated poultry and egg operations in 18 Iowa counties, the federal government denied the state’s request for a disaster declaration.
The declaration would have provided extra federal funding for areas hard-hit by the condition, which resulted in more than 32 million birds dying or being euthanized at 77 farms in Iowa. Governor Terry Branstad signed a state-level disaster emergency proclamation Monday, June 15, 2015. The proclamation made special allowances to help expedite the disposal of waste and material from infected facilities.
Branstad followed that declaration with a request to President Barack Obama for a federal disaster declaration. That request was denied in a letter from federal authorities, which said the damage could be handled at the state level.
The USDA had previously sent workers to Iowa to help address the bird flu crisis. Some Iowans complained that the virus was spreading faster than the limited response could manage.
Senator Chuck Grassley said he was disappointed over the denial because of the magnitude of damage from avian influenza in Iowa.
“The Administration’s own veterinarian said that it was the largest animal health emergency in the country’s history,” Grassley said. “Granting a disaster declaration would have made several forms of federal assistance available to these producers. Iowa has suffered great losses from this catastrophic outbreak, and I’m very disappointed that a disaster declaration wasn’t granted to help deal with the impact.”
“I just want to reemphasize it’s not only devastating for these producers, but their employees, those employees’ families, and the communities that are supported by these producers,” said Senator Joni Ernst.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey said the state would continue to help farmers affected by the outbreak.
“It is disappointing that the Obama Administration denied the governor’s request that would allow much needed federal resources to come into the state to assist farmers and others who have been impacted,” Northey said. “Our department will continue to work close with the farmers impacted, local officials, other state agencies and our federal partners as farms continue the cleaning and disinfection process, and move towards repopulation of these facilities.”