Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, representing Alabama, has introduced the Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification (HPAI) Act in collaboration with Senators Roger Wicker from Mississippi and Chris Coons from Delaware. The proposed legislation aims to extend USDA compensation to all poultry farmers located within a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) control zone, not just those whose flocks are directly infected.

The introduction of this bill comes after a recent bird flu outbreak in Alabama's Cullman and Pickens counties, which led to the loss of over 116,000 chickens. Senator Tuberville emphasized the urgent need for support for farmers: "Our farmers are in desperate need of help if they are going to continue to feed, fuel, and clothe our country," he stated. He further highlighted Alabama's significant role in broiler chicken production and his commitment to ensuring that local farmers receive necessary assistance.

Since 2022, more than 138 million birds have been affected by HPAI across all 50 states. In the past month alone, there have been 79 new cases reported by APHIS across 31 states. Current policies restrict poultry farms within a 10-kilometer radius of an HPAI case from placing new flocks until containment is achieved. Compensation is provided only to those farms with positive HPAI tests, leaving others within the control area without financial support.

The HPAI Act has garnered endorsements from several organizations including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Chicken Council, United Egg Producers, Delmarva Chicken Association, Alabama Farm Bureau, and other state farm bureaus nationwide.

Senator Tuberville serves on multiple Senate committees including Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP (Health, Education, Labor & Pensions), and Aging Committees.