U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced a significant $1 billion initiative aimed at tackling the challenges posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), supporting the U.S. poultry industry, and lowering egg prices. This funding supplements existing efforts to compensate growers for depopulated flocks.
The strategy, as outlined by Secretary Rollins in the Wall Street Journal, includes several key components: an additional $500 million allocated for biosecurity measures, $400 million designated for financial relief to affected farmers, and $100 million dedicated to vaccine research and other actions such as reducing regulatory burdens and exploring temporary import options.
Secretary Rollins criticized previous administration efforts stating, "The Biden administration did little to address the repeated outbreaks and high egg prices that followed. By contrast, the Trump administration is taking the issue seriously." She emphasized support for American farmers and consumers: "American farmers need relief, and American consumers need affordable food. To every family struggling to buy eggs: We hear you, we’re fighting for you, and help is on the way."
USDA's comprehensive approach involves several initiatives:
1. **Biosecurity Measures**: USDA will enhance its Wildlife Biosecurity Assessments across U.S. poultry producers starting with egg-layer facilities to prevent HPAI transmission from wild birds. Facilities following these protocols have reported minimal outbreaks. USDA plans to expand free biosecurity audits and deploy 20 trained epidemiologists to advise on reducing HPAI risks.
2. **Farmer Relief**: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will continue compensating producers whose flocks are depopulated due to HPAI spread control. New programs aim to accelerate flock repopulation processes with up to $400 million available this fiscal year.
3. **Regulatory Adjustments**: Efforts are underway with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to safely expand commercial egg supply while minimizing regulatory burdens on farmers and consumers harvesting homegrown eggs.
4. **Vaccine Research**: USDA is focused on developing vaccines and therapeutics targeting egg-laying chickens alongside increased biosurveillance measures with a potential investment of up to $100 million.
5. **Import-Export Options**: USDA will explore temporary import increases or export decreases of eggs subject to safety reviews while evaluating international best practices in production safety.
The USDA intends ongoing collaboration with trading partners, state authorities, scientists, farmers, public health bodies like the U.S Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), among others for holistic solutions ensuring both economic stability within domestic markets alongside maintaining global trade integrity amid these interventions.
