WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate recently approved $1 million in expansion funding for the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory in Willmar, Minn., through its 2026 appropriations. It will move to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
This laboratory funding was selected to assist Minnesota, as well as the nation, in avian influenza testing.
“Preventing avian flu is critically important for farmers in Minnesota and for the stability of the food supply in our whole country,” U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said in an announcement. “That’s why I fought for this funding that will improve the ability to stop the spread of avian flu and other animal diseases.”
Klobuchar, Minnesota’s senior senator, is also the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
This legislated funding would assist the lab in the purchase of additional PCR testing for bird flu, as well as other zoonotic diseases, Klobuchar’s release noted, adding that, “the project will enable faster results and reduced wait times, while also upgrading the data and results management system.”
For the federal funds to be approved they must be included in a final appropriations bill that is also passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law. It was included in the Senate’s appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies.
“I hear from farmers all the time about the financial stress that avian flu outbreaks put on farm families and economy,” U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said. “Animal disease outbreaks can unnecessarily disrupt trade and hurt our exporting ability.”
Smith is a member of the Senate’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Poultry, Local Food Systems, Food Safety and Security.
“This funding would make a huge difference in our ability to stop avian flu in its tracks and protect our farmers and animals,” Smith added.
The University of Minnesota VDL provides testing for bird flu, avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), and other animal diseases.
