A new $25 million recovery and reimbursement program is now available to Pennsylvania poultry producers and integrators impacted by highly pathogenic avian influenza.

HPAI affected 17 poultry farms in Lancaster and Berks counties, causing a loss of more than 4.2 million birds.

The HPAI Recovery Reimbursement Grant Program provides $25 million to help bridge the gap for affected farmers and facilitate a path to recovery.

“Pennsylvania’s poultry industry is $7.1 billion to the economy and 26,600 jobs. It’s food on the table here in the commonwealth and across the nation. This $25 million recovery program was critical to secure, and I’m grateful to Gov. Tom Wolf and the General Assembly for recognizing the value of this industry in the budget,” says Russell Redding, agriculture secretary. “Pennsylvania’s poultry producers and integrators will remain vigilant, and together we are prepared to continue fighting this threat to our food system and economy during upcoming migrations.”

The grant program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, will provide reimbursement to farms, integrators and allied industries directly impacted by HPAI and who prove demonstrable financial losses due to inclusion in a control or quarantine zone.

The program is comprised of two rounds:

Round 1. The first round is open to only poultry farmers and integrators, and to those premises located in the 3-kilometer (1.86-mile) infected zones as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s General Quarantine Order. The 91 affected poultry farms that have been identified as part of the first round will receive a direct mailing of the application. The application is due Sept. 10.

Round 2. The second round will be open to those who suffered losses in the much-wider Control Zones. Additional information will be shared about the second round when it becomes available on agriculture.pa.gov.

Losses up to $100,000 will be reimbursed at 100%. Losses over $100,000 may be reimbursed on a percentage basis, based on the number of applications received and available funding.

As of July 27, all Control Areas (the 6.2-mile perimeter around an infected, quarantined farm) have been lifted.

The General Quarantine Order is still in place, enabling the state to place additional restrictions on HPAI-infected farms to control the spread of the disease. The prohibition on exhibiting poultry at fairs is also still in place.

To apply for the grant program, Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture online to apply for the grant program and to learn more about HPAI.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.