S.D. Senators urge action on poultry trade and AI vaccines
South Dakota's two US senators, Mike Rounds and John Thune have penned a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, urging the initiation of discussions regarding the revision of trade agreements to potentially incorporate the use of a vaccine for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is presently conducting trials for vaccines designed to prevent HPAI. The avian influenza outbreak has had a profound impact on over 5.3 million birds in South Dakota, resulting in a federal government expenditure of nearly $1 billion. Prior to permitting producers to employ any approved HPAI vaccine, U.S. officials must engage in negotiations with major trade partners.
In late December, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) issued a policy brief on poultry vaccination, emphasizing the need for a reassessment of existing control strategies due to the virus's rapid spread. The brief endorsed the use of vaccines in accordance with international standards, asserting that countries can uphold trade while implementing science-based certification measures.
In late September, the USDA imposed restrictions on poultry imports from France and its trading partners, citing their decision to vaccinate meat ducks against HPAI.
