The Iowa House and Senate have come to an agreement to shift $2.5 million from the Iowa Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Fund, which has been chilling there unused. Created to tackle contagious diseases posing a threat to cattle and other livestock, these diseases have pretty much been wiped out in the United States. Representative Norlin Mommsen, a farmer hailing from DeWitt, believes it’s time to focus on other foreign animal diseases and put the funds to good use.
Mommsen, who chairs the House panel responsible for drafting the annual budget for the Iowa Department of Agriculture, is all about taking action. He plans to take $100,000 from the State Brucellosis Fund and direct it towards developing a bird flu vaccine. Not stopping there, additional funds are allocated to the Vet Diagnostic Lab and equipment to handle potential disease outbreaks. Mommsen emphasizes the importance of being proactive in dealing with issues that may impact Iowa, such as fluctuating egg prices and the looming threat of disease outbreaks.
A $450,000 technology upgrade is on the cards to help the state ag department keep tabs on livestock disease outbreaks in Iowa. This upgrade will be based on a premise number system that identifies each barn and pasture in Iowa where animals are being raised. Furthermore, $250,000 is set aside in the state budget to facilitate the move to Iowa State University’s expanded Vet Diagnostic Lab. An additional $450,000 is earmarked for purchasing equipment and planning for any potential foreign animal disease outbreaks. The legislation also scraps the property levy associated with the Iowa Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Fund, amounting to less than 50 cents per year for the average Iowa homeowner.
Not quite sure why all this shuffling of funds is necessary, but hey, it’s happening. Mommsen seems pretty gung-ho about tackling potential disease outbreaks and ensuring the agricultural sector in Iowa remains strong. Who knew eggs could cause such a stir, right? Well, I guess when it comes to protecting livestock and ensuring food security, every dollar counts. So, here’s to hoping these reallocations of funds lead to some positive outcomes for Iowa’s farmers and consumers alike.
