The avian flu outbreak that has devastated poultry and egg operations in the Midwest has united the Obama Administration and GOP-controlled Congress in an effort to extend aid to hard-hit producers. After the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) gave permission to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak to provide emergency assistance to affected poultry and egg producers, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) quickly endorsed the move.
“I applaud OMB for recognizing the urgency and gravity of this situation,” said Roberts. “I’m glad these producers who suffered significant losses will get the assistance they need to help them move forward and begin rebuilding. I also applaud poultry and egg producers for proactively doing everything within their power to protect the health of their flocks.”