Michigan to Compensate Farmers for Investigating Bird Flu Outbreaks, Reports Reuters

By P.J. Huffstutter and Leah Douglas

CHICAGO (Reuters) – The state of Michigan is set to offer dairy farms affected by bird flu up to $28,000 to collaborate with federal and state agencies in investigating how the virus has impacted their operations, according to Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Officials at both the federal and state levels are exploring various factors contributing to the spread of bird flu. This includes examining the potential for respiratory transmission among animals and whether farm workers might have previously contracted the virus. The objective is to mitigate further infections in both animals and humans.

Since late March, bird flu has been detected in 102 dairy herds across 12 states. Additionally, three dairy farm workers have reported contracting the virus.

The Michigan agriculture department plans to utilize emergency response funds to offer grants to up to 20 farms. Boring mentioned that the funding aims to alleviate losses related to sick animals and to cover expenses incurred by farmers and staff collaborating with scientists.

"There are some real-time economic struggles these farms are facing," Boring noted.

Participating farmers will be required to collaborate with the state agriculture department and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to conduct epidemiological investigations on their farms. They will also need to engage in other studies related to the outbreak and research efforts regarding bird flu conducted by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, as applicable.

Boring highlighted that the state has observed strong participation in testing from farmers whose herds are infected.

In May, the USDA announced that it would provide financial assistance to farmers who test their milk and cattle for the virus. During a press briefing on June 13, federal officials reported that 11 farms had enrolled in various components of the federal support program.