A recent study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found remnants of the Avian Flu - also known as the bird flu – in some dairy cow milk across the country.
“Avian influenza, there’s been some cases of that and its mainly due to the flyway areas of the migratory bird patterns,” said Tommy Nagle, Vice President Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
This -- causing problems for many dairy farmers, expect for those right here in Pa.
Nagle tells 6 News, “There has been no cases in Pennsylvania.”
And Nagle adds officials hope it stays like that!
“Everyone is really on top of it and all the government agencies are working with you know state, federal and local officials along with veterinarians and farmers to prevent the spread because obviously this is something they don’t want another outbreak or anything like that,” Nagle said.
Nagle tells Channel 6 new rules were recently put in place in efforts to prevent this problem from affecting dairy farms in the commonwealth. For instance the restriction of transporting cattle along state lines.
“They have to be tested and there’s certain age requirements for cattle that have to be tested," Nagle added. "Now, the cattle that are going to be processed to the slaughter facility are not required, they’re exempted from them because obviously they are going to slaughter, but as far as like breeding stock coming in there are requirements on withhold periods and isolation periods and testing periods. So that’s what they’re doing to prevent that from spreading to Pennsylvania.”
Nagle says on top of this – Pennsylvania farmers are also taking their own precautions.
“The birds, they’re trying to keep them out of the barn as much as possible,” said Nagle. “We really want to reassure everyone that, you know, beef is safe and, you know, milk is safe as long as its pasteurized.”
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