U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on Wednesday announced a $1 billion-dollar comprehensive strategy that the administration hopes will curb highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), protect the U.S. poultry industry, and lower egg prices.
The plan focuses on five key issue areas, including:
- $500 million in investments in biosecurity for poultry, beginning with a focus on egg layers;
- $400 million in relief/indemnity for affected farmers;
- $100 million for vaccine research and development (including a public-private task force focused on developing protocols for vaccination and avoiding trade disruptions);
- Temporary imports of eggs; and
- Removing unnecessary regulatory burdens on egg producers.
According to Secretary Rollins, “USDA hasn’t yet authorized the use of a vaccine. Before making a determination, USDA will consult state leaders, poultry and dairy farmers, and public-health professionals. We will also work with our trading partners to minimize potential negative trade effects for U.S. producers and to assess public-health concerns.”
“We applaud Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration for their desire and commitment to combat HPAI across all species – a common goal shared by U.S. broiler producers,” said NCC President Harrison Kircher. “Particularly, we appreciate the measured and science-based approach for the potential use of an effective and applicable vaccine for laying hens and turkeys, and the administration’s commitment to work with our trading partners to minimize any potential negative trade effects should a vaccine ever be used.
“As the administration works to remove unnecessary burdens to bring down the price of eggs, we will continue to encourage FDA to act on our petition to modify an Obama-era regulation that would release up to 400 million surplus broiler hatching eggs into the egg breaking market.
“We look forward to working with the administration, states, public health professionals and veterinarians to be part of the solution,” Kircher concluded.
More details about the plan can be found on the USDA website by clicking here.
