Jason Vander Kooy, Mt. Vernon-area Dairy Farmer and Save Family Farming Vice President, issued the following statement reacting to news of a bird flu detection at a poultry farm in Pierce County:
“We’re saddened to hear the news of bird flu being detected at a poultry farm in Pierce County, not just out of concern for keeping people and animals safe, but also because of the gut-punch such a situation can give to a farm, particularly here in Washington state, where many farms are struggling to survive.
“Our thoughts are with that farm right now, because we know how hard it must be for them, and we hope everyone stays safe and healthy as they work to weather this storm.
“Far too many farms of all kinds here in Washington state stand on the brink, just one crisis such as bird flu away from ending up over the edge and having to shut down.
“Whether it’s bird flu, drought, a barn fire or heavy-handed new regulations, thousands of farms already stretched to the limit don’t have the margin to sustain another blow like this.
“We know that farms all over the state are going above and beyond right now to prevent the spread of bird flu, and we’re very thankful that the risk to the public remains low, but the risk to already-struggling Washington state farms couldn’t be higher, with their entire existence often on the line.
“We ask the public to support local and regional agriculture in any way they can, to protect our food system, our food security, and the farming community that’s so important to this state.
“We call on our leaders to carefully consider the full impacts of any decision they make on the future of farming in Washington state, recognizing that a stable and secure food supply hangs in the balance.”
Media Contact: Dillon Honcoop, dhoncoop@savefamilyfarming.org