USDA Invests $1 Billion to Combat Avian Flu and Lower Egg Prices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking decisive action to tackle the ongoing avian flu crisis and reduce soaring egg prices, with a $1 billion investment announced by Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins. This comprehensive strategy aims to strengthen biosecurity, aid affected farmers, and explore innovative solutions to protect the U.S. poultry industry.
Secretary Rollins shared the plan in the Wall Street Journal, highlighting a five-pronged approach that includes:
$500 million for enhanced biosecurity efforts across all U.S. poultry producers, focusing on protecting farms from wild bird transmissionāresponsible for 83% of HPAI cases.
$400 million in financial relief for affected farmers to help speed up recovery and support repopulation efforts.
$100 million for vaccine research and other innovative strategies aimed at preventing future outbreaks and reducing depopulation rates in egg-laying chickens.
The USDA is also working to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers on the poultry and egg industry, collaborating with the FDA to expand egg supply and lower consumer prices. Additionally, the USDA is exploring the possibility of temporary import and export adjustments to ensure the availability of eggs while protecting U.S. markets.
Secretary Rollins emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue: "American farmers need relief, and American consumers need affordable food." The USDA is committed to helping both farmers and families by strengthening biosecurity measures, innovating with new vaccines, and exploring strategies to stabilize egg prices.
