Plan would move bird flu money to agriculture disaster fund

ST. PAUL - The Minnesota House agriculture finance chairman wants to move nearly $2 million out of a fund set up to fight bird flu last year.

Chairman Rod Hamilton, R-Mountain Lake, offered a plan under consideration so the money could be used for other agriculture disasters.

"Right away, we would be able to access additional dollars if there was an agriculture disaster," Hamilton said Tuesday.

While Hamilton said the money would be available if the bird flu hits the state's poultry flocks like it did a year ago, Rep. David Bly, D-Northfield, said, "I am a bit nervous" about the move.

Hamilton replied: "You can only plan for so much."

The Agriculture Finance Committee will consider the plan again later this spring.