Costs on the Rise for Midwest Bird Flu

The cost continues to rise in the deadly bird flu outbreak which has spread across the upper Midwest.

The costs to respond to the outbreak has grown to $6 million in Minnesota.

And the scope has nearly doubled in the last week.

Nearly 50 Minnesota turkey farms have been hit, costing farmers almost 3 million birds.

Senator Amy Klobachar spent the day with poultry producers in Litchfield.

Senator Amy Klobuchar: “One of the things I was most struck by was just the emotion. We had people who have been in the business who are in their 50’s and 60’s who just broke down in tears at the thought they might lose their business. Small farmers who wanted to pass on their business to their sons and their daughters.”

House and Senate lawmakers are trying to reach a deal to provide an initial $900,000 for response efforts.

Lawmakers say they are also trying to work out a contingency plan for state agencies to access emergency funds if the outbreak worsens.