Governor Tim Walz today signed an executive order waiving trucking regulations to help fight the spread of avian influenza and mitigate the risk to Minnesota’s poultry industry. Minnesota is ranked first in the nation in turkey production, with more than 660 turkey farms that raise about 40 million birds annually. And turkey production generates $774 million in cash receipts. The current H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Minnesota poses a high risk to poultry but a low risk to the public, and there is no food safety concern for consumers.