LANCASTER, PA — Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania) traveled to Lancaster County on Saturday, February 15, to meet with poultry farmers, industry representatives, and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. The visit was part of an urgent effort to address the growing avian influenza outbreak, which has devastated Pennsylvania’s poultry industry.
The outbreak, which began in late January, has already claimed more than 2.9 million birds across several counties, including Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, and Lebanon. The highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 strain has caused widespread losses, prompting state and federal authorities to take aggressive containment measures. These include quarantining affected farms, conducting widespread testing, enhancing biosecurity protocols, and restricting the movement of poultry products in outbreak zones.
Over the weekend, McCormick toured local poultry farms, speaking directly with farmers to understand how the crisis has impacted their livelihoods. He pledged to advocate for additional federal resources to bolster containment efforts and provide financial relief to those affected. “This virus not only threatens Pennsylvania’s top agriculture sector but also the families and communities who depend on it,” said McCormick. “Together, we must combat this outbreak to protect our state’s economy, safeguard flocks, and keep food affordable for every Pennsylvanian.”
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding echoed McCormick’s concerns, highlighting the vital importance of Pennsylvania’s agriculture sector, which contributes $132.5 billion annually to the state’s economy. Poultry, now the state’s leading agricultural industry by revenue, accounts for $2.6 billion and supports roughly 70,000 jobs. The outbreak has disrupted local supply chains and driven up poultry prices, creating challenges for both producers and consumers.
Chris Pierce, President of Heritage Poultry Management Services, Inc., emphasized the severity of the situation while expressing gratitude for McCormick’s involvement. “These are incredibly difficult times for farmers across Pennsylvania. Having Senator McCormick here shows a commitment to finding solutions and restoring stability to our farms and our food supply.”
Discussions during the visit focused on improving biosecurity measures to prevent further spread of the virus, bolstering the state’s capacity for testing and surveillance, and exploring the development of vaccines for poultry. Additionally, McCormick and Redding discussed recovery strategies, including providing economic support to affected farmers to alleviate the financial strain of flock losses and ensure the long-term viability of the poultry sector.
The avian influenza outbreak shows no immediate signs of abating, and officials continue to enforce stringent measures to contain the virus. Secretary Redding urged poultry farmers to remain vigilant and follow enhanced biosecurity protocols, while reassuring consumers that properly cooked poultry products remain safe to eat.
Saturday’s meeting underscored the collaborative efforts of state and federal authorities, industry leaders, and local farmers to mitigate the impact of the outbreak. Moving forward, McCormick vowed to prioritize federal funding for Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and work with local stakeholders to build resilience against future threats.
Though the path ahead remains challenging, the state’s response thus far demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding Pennsylvania’s vital poultry industry while taking steps to protect the livelihoods of the families and communities that depend on it.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.