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Minnesota Turkey brings policy priorities to Washington, D.C.

Leaders representing Minnesota’s turkey industry are in Washington D.C. this week voicing priorities to members of Congress.

Butch Brey is a breeder from Sleepy Eye and president of the Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council.

“Talking to our legislators on farm bill priorities (and) the foreign animal disease program, we’re basically asking for a continuation of the 2018 Farm Bill, with of course, higher funding rates.”

He tells Brownfield that program should continue focusing on prevention, surveillance, and response.

“And we’re kind of gearing the response program towards a possible vaccination, or more funding to do more research on the vaccination program.”

Brey says based on what he’s hearing from lawmakers he’s quite certain there will be an extension of the current farm bill, with House Ag Committee Chair Glenn GT Thompson telling him he’s confident the new bill can be completed by the end of the year.