What weve realized is we can try very hard to keep lead of the hackers but what we need to do is think about how we minimize the need for customers to put their private information on to web sites. Right now there are legal prohibitions from the private sector what we want to do is allow those barriers to be removed so that you could share information on threat signatures very narrowly defined so very technical type of information. But for example of the various act that is have taken place, if we could broadly share that information then when one hack occurs one place hopefully at Network Speed we can widely share that vulnerability and so more broadly protect everyone. Tonight at 8 00 eastern. On thursday members of the house agriculture subcommittee heard testimony from federal and state agriculture officials on their agencys response to the 20142015 flu outbreak that killed an estimated 48 million edible fowl in the u. S. The witnesses said an outbreak could be as bad or worse than the last one. This is an hour and 45 minutes. Rep. Rouzer the hearing will come to order. Id like to thank our witnesses for appearing this morning. I appreciate the attendance of our colleagues here on the panel. As we begin our formal review of the recent outbreak of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza. Or the bird flu. As we will hear from witnesses this was without a doubt one of the worst if not the worst animal disease outbreaks our country has ever faced. More than 220 farms were infected in 21 states, nearly 48 million chickens and turkeys with depopulated, and hundreds of Million Dollars at and spent. The subcommittee has been following these events for some months, and specifically chose to delay uniform oversight until the disease was under control to prevent the attention in the middle of a crisis. As we begin the review, let me state that it is not it is not our intent to be a quarterback in a shape or form, rather we want to learn from experience. We want to highlight what was done right by identifying areas where improvement was made where opportunities for further improvement exist and most importantly figure out where we need to focus as we prepare for another possible outbreak this fall. As most observers know, the heat of the summer is primarily responsible for the interruption and disease transmission, but as fall approaches and temperatures begin to drop, we need to be prepared for more cases possibly covering a larger geographical area. A number of issues have arisen that need further discussion, for instance the approval of an effective vaccine is on the horizon. If we utilize this tool we will need to ensure that trade is not disrupted. Questions persist regarding the efficacy of the industrys bio security plans while many forms have exceptional bio security procedures and mechanisms in place, some observers have raised questions regarding the degree to which bio security protocols are being followed. We are certainly aware of some of the resource limitations that delayed depopulation, disposal and disinfection early and as repopulation commences, several members have heard from constituents raising questions related to the challenges that lie ahead. We recognize that preventing further outbreaks is a critical priority. That said, we are mindful of the Financial Burdens producers are facing particularly if they are unable to get back up and running in a timely fashion. After all, as my grandfather used to tell me, time is money. We will likely also hear about concerns related to indemnification. The laws clear regarding the payment of fair market value for animals that are destroyed. It is defined in determined, that is subject to some discretion. We are faced with a set of issues that are complex, and we will welcome any and all suggestions on how the subcommittee might be helpful as we move forward. In particular, i am aware of the program created for disease management and prevention. I wonder if it might not be time to examine whether similar mechanisms and the Animal Health protection act might yield a more responsive mechanism to facilitate a quicker and perhaps a cheaper and more effective response. I will now yield to the chairman of the committee, if he has any comments. Rep. Peterson no, i just like to hear from witnesses. Rep. Rouzer thank you. I also see that we have the Ranking Member, colin peterson. If you have any comments. Rep. Peterson thank you chairman rouzer, for holding this hearing today. My district was ground zero of the outbreak that has happened, and as everyone knows, the Avian Influenza has impacted poultry in my district and other places in the country. I think the usda and my state of minnesota has done good work, and i want to single out dr. Clifford and dr. Hartmann for the work that they have done. And the secretary as i have gone through this i have been on the phone i dont know how many times, talking about problems that have arisen, and he really responded i dont think you could of got a better job. This situation hasnt been perfect, but perfection is hard to come by when you are in the middle of a crisis. As the chairman said, now is the time to go over the lessons weve learned in figure out how this will help us develop a better plan if we have this kind of an outbreak in the future. There are three areas that like to address today that have been brought forward by my growers. One of them is simplifying the indemnification process, that people concerned with the amount of paperwork one grower had 77 pages of paperwork. We have to do a better job of figuring out how to deal with that. The other thing that comes up is this case manager issue. Just last week, i had a grower i met with, he was on his seventh case manager. In that particular situation they are still rolling them over. Somehow or another we have to figure out a way to address that, and dr. Hartmann, i dont know if minnesota has researchers to help with that, but i may ask you about that late i also look forward to status updates on the workable vaccine. Dr. Swayne, we appreciate the work youve done, and available vaccine is very much on the agenda of my growers as they repopulate this fall that is something they want to have in their toolbox. I want to discuss that with you and how that is going to come forward. I also want to look at ways speed up the depopulation effort. That is an area that i think we have learned a great deal about. Especially in the layer operation, it has been a real problem. Its one area we can focus more on. I think the chair in the Ranking Member for holding todays hearing and i look forward to the witnesses testimonies and the questionandanswer period. I yield back. Rep. Rouzer thank you, mr. Peterson. As always, our Ranking Member has impeccable timing. Mr. Costa. Rep. Costa thank you, tithing is all about what we do, and the timing for this hearing is today, because the avian flu that has taken various regions of this country is serious, and it is traumatic and it has been devastating when we look at the amount of flocks of poultry that has been impacted. Not only has my colleague, the Ranking Member, stated in his opening, but also in california, we have had a number of poultry farmers and processors that have been impacted, some in my home district. That was where the first reported cases of Avian Influenza took place. Unlike the midwest we have been able to contain it, and we have been able to control it. My heart goes out to those in other parts of the country where it has continued to progress, to keep producers in my state actions that were taken by the United States department of agriculture and the department of food and they were very positive. We were lucky, bottom line, in the outbreak. It didnt spread due to a combination of factors and im looking forward to the testimony today as to how we can take those examples and also others that are being implemented around the country. Our program, we think, is strong as it relates to bio security. One of the reasons are producers controlled the spread but there are other examples that i hope we will hear about here this morning. As we know, it has been a part of the various fly with the fly always of Avian Influenza that has caused the impact. While regulations can only do so much, i think we need to do more to provide an Avian Influenza there needs to be more research. One thing we have heard the need for more investment in the Southeast Poultry Research laboratory, and im pleased that dr. Swayne is here to testify on the. While the poultry lab is a critical role, especially with the development apostle vaccination, we also have Research Done in institutions in california, like at fresno state, my alma mater where we have had a lot of efforts to provide support and assistance and discover more information about Avian Influenza. The new national whole Tree Improvement plan, which we will hear more about this morning has allowed companies to participate in a Surveillance Program with 100 indemnity. That has been a part of the discussion in terms of how we deal with it. I cant say that our response in california was perfect but we certainly didnt face the same scale as outbreak that has been faced in the midwest. I hope through this hearing, mr. Chairman, we can better understand what practices work best and learn from the successes to minimize the negative impact that the Avian Influenza has had during the spring flight season. You know there is going to be an upcoming fall flight, and certainly congressman peterson can testify to that as an avid hunter. He is very familiar with the various seasons. I very much look forward to the testimony of those from the United States department of agriculture, the state representatives, and i hope we can learn from each other. Thank you. Rep. Rouzer thank you. Rep. Peterson id like to enter this Economic Impact analysis into the record. I will do rep. Rouzer without objection. The chair would request that other members submit their Opening Statements for the record so that witnesses may begin their testimony. The chair would like to remind members that they will be recognized in order of seniority. After that, members will be recognized in order of their arrival. I appreciate members understanding. You are asked to limit your oral exchange to five minutes. All statements will be included in the record. Id like to welcome our witnesses to the table. Please note that in the interest of time, we have combined the two panels. Dr. David swayne, Usda Agricultural Research Service thank you for being here. Dr. John clifford, veteran services usda. We also have dr. Douglas meckes, state veterinarian, North Carolina department of agriculture. Dr. Bill hartmann board of Animal Health and st. Paul. Dr. Swayne, wheel will begin when you are ready. We will begin when you are ready. Dr. Swayne thank you i am dr. David swayne, the Laboratory Director of the Southeast Poultry Research directory. The agriculture of Research Services is committed to eradicating the high virus to provide cuttingedge research and diagnostics molecular epidemiology, pathology, and fax vaccinology. We focused our high path Research Program to what is needed. Within weeks, a test was developed to test this unique virus which allowed quick differentiation from our north american virus is. Viruses. This is the core test used in diagnostic efforts to identify infected flocks. We conducted studies to understand how the early virus infected birds. In chickens and turkeys high exposure doses were needed, and vertebrate contact was very inefficient. In bird to bird contact was very inefficient. In mallards and wild ducks, they became infected with lower doses of the virus and had more efficient contact transmission but did not comebecome ill. Subsequent trials from iowa and the dakotas found these viruses required less actual viruses indicating a later virus had changed in was more easily transmissible. In extending Laboratory Field data, researchers have teamed up with eitherth epidemiologists by providing genetic analysis in order to focus epidemiological as investigation. There was a point source investigation from poultry in the pacific however the later midwest viruses showed evidence of Common Source introduction outbreaks, supporting farm to farm spread. In the United States there is no vaccine in use for high pass ai. While some nations have attempted to utilize the vaccine to protect poultry against h5n1, their use has not always lead to immediate eradication. 99 of all vaccines have been used in only four countries where the virus is endemic. Their prolonged use of vaccines have been associated with failure and resistance. Periodic change of vaccines need to more closely match those circulating for more effective control. In support we conduct testing and development. But we do not manufacture vaccines or decide when or if the vaccine should to be used. The use of vaccines determined by aphis. Currently we have developed a new vaccine strain for use and we are conducting the final protection studies in chickens and turkeys. If 50, this vaccine would be transferred to a commercial vaccine manufacturer. An addition, we are registering vaccines against the current outbreak. Vaccination can play a helpful role in Disease Eradication if it is properly implemented but globally, vaccination have a negative impacts on poultry exports, a crucial part of the u. S. Poultry industry. Efforts to mitigate the effect of vaccination on exports include identifying infected poultry within a vaccinated population for a reliable and costeffective testing. Such a strategy is also called diva testing. Diva testing strategies is a High Research priority and we have those studies underway. In conclusion, the current outbreak represents unique and unprecedented challenges for the poultry industry, immediately shifting Research Programs to highpriority areas infectivity in transmission in wild birds rapid diagnostic Test Development molecular epidemiological studies on virus spread and development of efficacious vaccines. Thank you again for your opportunity, and for congressional support as we continue to fight this virus. Rep. Rouzer thankdr. Clifford it has been almost two months since our last detection of ai in minnesota. Over 60 farms have restocked with new, healthy poultry. Over 30 have finished the cleaning and disinfection process and are on their way to restocking. The numbers will continue to climb in the coming weeks as a sign that we are recovering from this devastating outbreak. The usda will continue to stand with those producers, helping them to get back into production as quickly as we can. Much of our effort in recent weeks has been with an eye toward the future. We have been meeting with our state and Industry Partners to plan for any potential fall. Outbreaks fall outbreaks. We are revising our plans. I can assure you that we will be ready to face any outbreaks in the fall. I just came from a conference in des moines where we, along with Industry Partners, discussed the outbreak in steps for the fall. Our conversations they are into previous meetings have identified several key things. First, we all need to improve bio security. Its truly a shared responsibility. We need to wash equipment, limit the number of people on farms can take steps to limit contact with wild birds. As part of this effort we need to improve outreach to producers who have been working with the industry to share information and materials so we can be ready to stop disease spread. Second we recognize the importance of rapid depopulation. The longer we take to depopulate sick birds the more virus they produce, and with more virus and the environment the greater threat. We are working with partners on all the logistical challenges, and we need to have the right equipment and materials in the right places in the right disposal options to eliminate any unnecessary delays. Third, we need to continue to have discussions about the vaccine policy. We made the decision to stockpile vaccine but have not decided whether or not to use it to control disease spread. Our discussions with trading partners today suggests that many of them would ban all until they could complete a Risk Assessment. We will continue to actively engage these partners about how to minimize the effect on trade should we need to use vaccine in the future. But if we want the conversation and attitude of our trading partners to change it is likely that all of us will have to change some of our policies and concerns about the use of vaccines and other foreign animal diseases. We are planning for a worstcase scenario and we will be ready for it. While i dont think it will come to that, this planning is important to ensure that we can handle any potential outbreaks in the fall no matter the size. To that end we are adding additional staff over 450 positions including 210 Animal Health technicians and 90 veterinary officers. We are working with our federal and state partners to increase surveillance of wild birds which brought the disease initially. Close monitoring of wild birds lets us identify and respond to the disease as rapidly as possible. Our hearts go out to everyone affected so far producers their employees, the communities they live in and support. We are making sure theywe do everything he can for those who may be effective in the months ahead. Mr. Chairman this concludes my testimony and i would be happy to answer any questions. Rep. Rouzer thank you very much.