Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act of 2025
3/27/2025, 1:53 PMSummary of Bill HR 1376
Bill 119 HR 1376, also known as the "Poultry Compensation Act," aims to amend the Animal Health Protection Act to provide compensation for poultry growers and layers in control areas. The bill is designed to assist poultry farmers who may suffer financial losses due to outbreaks of diseases such as avian influenza.Under the proposed legislation, poultry growers and layers in control areas would be eligible to receive compensation for any losses incurred as a result of disease control measures, such as quarantine or depopulation. The bill also includes provisions for the establishment of a fund to provide financial assistance to affected farmers.
In addition to providing compensation for poultry farmers, the bill also includes measures to improve disease prevention and control efforts. This includes increased funding for research and development of vaccines and other preventative measures, as well as enhanced coordination between federal, state, and local agencies. Overall, Bill 119 HR 1376 seeks to support the poultry industry by providing financial assistance to farmers affected by disease outbreaks, while also working to improve disease prevention and control efforts to protect the health and well-being of poultry populations in the United States.
Congressional Summary of HR 1376
Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act of 2025
This bill expands the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) producer indemnity and compensation program to include compensation for all poultry growers and layers located in an APHIS-determined control area, which may include non-infected poultry.
Currently, APHIS provides indemnity and compensation to producers to remove animals classified as affected, suspect, or exposed to diseases of concern, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). An APHIS-determined control area consists of both an infected zone and a buffer zone. Under the bill, APHIS must compensate all owners of poultry growing or laying facilities for flocks of birds that the facility owner was prohibited from growing or laying due to the location of the facility within a control area. This may include facilities that are located in the buffer zones and have non-infected poultry.
Further, the bill establishes a new compensation payment formula that requires payments to be based on the owner’s average income from the five most recent flocks. Under the bill, APHIS's compensation determination is final and not subject to judicial or administrative review (other than by the Secretary of Agriculture or a designee).
