Madison, WI – On Friday, Governor Tony Evers vetoed Assembly Bill 1032, introduced by Representative Cindi Duchow (R–Delafield) and Senator Patrick Testin (R–Stevens Point). The legislation would have clarified that the Natural Resources Board may sell Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land located within one mile of, or adjacent to, a commercial egg farm to prevent the spread of avian flu.
The bill was proposed as a tool to help mitigate avian influenza outbreaks. It was drafted in response to a recent outbreak at one of the nation’s largest egg-producing facilities in Jefferson County.
“This most recent wave of avian flu, which began in 2021–2022, has led to the depopulation of millions of birds across the country,” said Rep. Duchow. “Outbreaks at these facilities have significant impacts, not only on the businesses and workers involved, but also on the surrounding communities that must deal with the consequences of large-scale depopulation. This bill aimed to create an expanded buffer zone, increasing the distance between commercial farms and concentrations of wild birds known to carry the virus.”
“Something has to change,” Duchow added. “While I am disappointed in the veto, I remain hopeful that the DNR, the farm’s owners, and local officials can work together to find a solution and prevent this from happening again.”
