After the last avian flu quarantine in the state was lifted earlier this month, assistance is being made available for those affected.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding explains the two rounds of the Recovery Reimbursement Grant program:
“the enactment of the 2022-23 budget includes $25 million to establish a reimbursement grant program for those growers impacted by high path [avian influenza],” Redding said. “There’s also an additional $4 million to support the paddles system here in Pennsylvania. That is for the testing, which is of course critical for our detection and response.”
At its peak in April and May, the avian flu ravaged chicken farms in Lancaster and Berks Counties. A total of 17 farms had to euthanize over 4 million chickens.
As of earlier this month, the last flu control was lifted essentially ending the three month outbreak. However, agriculture officials still have not lifted the ban on poultry exhibits at county fairs.