Iowa’s request for Avian Flu aid denied by FEMA

The Obama Administration denied a major disaster event declaration request from Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad in response to the avian flu outbreak in Iowa.

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. Grassley says that after Tuesday’s Agriculture Committee hearing, where he listened to testimony from producers who were affected, he says it’s very clear that this outbreak caused a “significant magnitude of damage throughout the state”.

Clifford said the USDA is looking at a strategy for a vaccine against the H5 bird flu. He added the Administration’s own chief veterinarian said this was the largest animal health emergency in the country’s history, and that granting this declaration would have made several forms of federal assistance available to the producers.

“The crippling impact of the avian flu has devastated Iowa’s poultry industry, farmers, producers and local communities”, Ernst said during a telephone news conference this morning with Iowa reporters.

Branstad estimates about 1500 workers in Buena Vista, Sioux, Webster and Wright Counties are losing their jobs and he had asked for an extension of federal unemployment benefits, crisis counseling and legal services for those workers.