USDA: $1 Billion to combat bird flu
The Trump administration is allocating up to $1 billion in new funding to mitigate the effects of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and the resulting surge in egg prices.
In an article published in The Wall Street Journal, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins stated, “There is no silver bullet for eradicating avian flu.” She outlined a multi-faceted strategy to address the crisis, which includes:
- Allocating up to $500 million to assist U.S. poultry producers in implementing advanced biosecurity measures.
- Providing up to $400 million in financial relief to farmers whose flocks have been affected by avian influenza.
- Exploring the use of vaccines and therapeutics for laying hens. Although vaccines alone are not a comprehensive solution, the USDA will invest up to $100 million in research and development to enhance their efficacy and efficiency. At present, the USDA has not authorized the use of vaccines against HPAI.
While the use of vaccines remains under consideration, no formal decision has been reached regarding their deployment.
The mass culling of millions of birds has not successfully mitigated outbreaks of avian influenza, which has now become endemic in the United States. Although there is no singular or immediate solution to eradicate the virus, it is imperative to take decisive action.
