Mass Veterinary Layoffs at USDA and FDA Jeopardize Animal Health and Food Safety

The Trump administration’s sweeping federal layoffs have crippled key agencies responsible for tracking animal diseases, regulating veterinary drugs, and ensuring food safety. Among the hardest-hit programs are the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) at the USDA and the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at the FDA, both essential to public and animal health.

Cuts to Bird Flu Surveillance Leave Labs Struggling

As avian influenza (H5N1) continues to spread among dairy cattle and poultry, the USDA fired a quarter of the NAHLN program office staff, a critical team overseeing disease surveillance. The layoffs threaten the ability of 58 veterinary diagnostic laboratories to coordinate testing and containment efforts.

“They’re the front line of surveillance for the entire outbreak,” said Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory told Politico. “These labs are already underwater and constantly short-staffed. Removing staff directly reduces the capacity to track and control the virus.”

The timing is dire—avian influenza has killed over 100 million birds since 2022, including 22 million in the last 30 days, according to USDA data. Meanwhile, the virus has jumped to dairy cattle, spreading across California, Arizona, and more than a dozen other states.

Veterinary Drug Oversight Also in Crisis

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), responsible for ensuring the safety of pet and livestock drugs, has also suffered devastating losses. The cuts have eliminated at least 20 reviewers who assess whether veterinary drugs, animal feed additives, and medical devices are safe for use.

One recently terminated staffer, speaking anonymously, said, “We ensure that medications meet safety standards, prevent contamination, and remain effective. Without us, bad drugs could slip through the cracks.”

Veterinary pharmacist Marcos Contreras from UC Davis echoed those concerns with NPR:
"Anything entering the veterinary market, just like a human drug, needs oversight. Without it, pet owners and farmers could be using unsafe or ineffective treatments.”

Beyond pets, these layoffs could affect anyone who consumes animal products, as the CVM also ensures drugs used in livestock don’t pose risks to human food safety.

A Chaotic, Costly Move

Despite the administration’s claim that the layoffs will reduce government spending, experts argue the cuts won’t actually save money. Many of the FDA positions were funded by user fees paid by veterinary drug companies, not taxpayer dollars.

With mass firings and an order for remaining staff to return to in-person work, even more resignations are expected, worsening backlogs in disease tracking, drug approvals, and food safety inspections.

One FDA staffer summed it up:
"We want to trust that the medications we give our pets and farm animals are safe. But if overwhelmed regulators miss something critical, both animals and people will pay the price."

As H5N1 continues to spread and food safety regulations weaken, veterinarians, farmers, and consumers alike are left wondering: who’s protecting animal and public health now?

If you’re concerned about these mass layoffs and their impact on veterinary medicine, food safety, and public health, here’s what you can do:

1️⃣ Raise Awareness

📢 Share this information on social media, in veterinary groups, and with colleagues. The more people who know, the more pressure we can put on policymakers.

2️⃣ Contact Lawmakers

📝 Call or email your representatives and demand answers on why these vital programs are being slashed. Ask for hearings, reinstatements, or emergency funding for affected agencies.

3️⃣ Support Veterinary & Public Health Organizations

💡 Groups like the AAVLD (American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians), and public health advocacy organizations can help fight these cuts. Stay engaged with their updates and calls to action.

4️⃣ Push for Transparency

🔍 Demand that agencies like USDA and FDA publicly explain how they will maintain safety and oversight with reduced staff.

5️⃣ Educate Clients & the Public

🐾 As a veterinary professional, use your platform & client interactions to discuss how these cuts could impact animal care and food safety.

6️⃣ Stay Active in Your Professional Network

👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️ Engage with veterinary business leaders, policymakers, and advocacy groups to protect the future of veterinary medicine and public health.