DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds sent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack a letter urging the USDA to prioritize and expedite the approval process for animal vaccines designed to combat foreign animal diseases and other diseases threatening the U.S agriculture industry.  

The letter reads in part:  

“Animal diseases pose significant threats to the agricultural industry, jeopardizing animal health, food security, and economic stability. The recent outbreaks of diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle and poultry, as well as the recent outbreak of Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) in Iowa turkey farms, underscores the need for proactive measures to prevent and control future outbreaks. Vaccine development and approvals are critical to ensure the health and safety of our nation’s livestock and poultry operations.  

“I urge the USDA and the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) located in Ames, Iowa, to expedite the review and approval process for animal vaccines, prioritizing those that have demonstrated safety, efficacy, and feasibility. Additionally, I encourage the USDA to allocate resources and support research efforts aimed at developing innovative vaccines and vaccination strategies.” 

You can read the full letter here.