By Julie Tomascik
Editor

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest up to $1 billion to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) through a multi-pronged approach.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins noted the agency’s strategy is in addition to funding already being provided to indemnify growers for depopulated flocks. The additional funding will help protect the U.S. poultry sector and lower egg prices, USDA said.

The five-pronged strategy includes an additional $500 million for biosecurity measures, $400 million in financial relief for affected farmers and $100 million for vaccine research, action to reduce regulatory burdens and exploring temporary import options.

“American farmers need relief, and American consumers need affordable food. To every family struggling to buy eggs: We hear you, we’re fighting for you, and help is on the way,” Rollins said.

USDA will use the $500 million to expand its Wildlife Biosecurity Assessments to growers across the nation, beginning with egg-layer facilities, to protect domestic birds from wild birds transmitting HPAI. Biosecurity audits also will be expanded, and USDA will deploy 20 trained epidemiologists to help growers reduce HPAI risk at their facilities.

The agency also will share up to 75% of the costs to fix the highest risk biosecurity concerns identified by the assessments and audits, up to $400 million.

USDA noted new programs are being explored to aid farmers to accelerate the rate of repopulation.

To lower egg prices, USDA is working alongside the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to safely expand supply in the commercial market for eggs and explore options to increase egg imports to supplement the domestic supply.

The $100 million in research will be used to explore potential new generation vaccines, therapeutics and other innovative solutions to minimize depopulation of egg laying chickens.

Agricultural groups, including Texas Farm Bureau (TFB), issued support for USDA’s strategy.

“Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) thanks President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for working on a comprehensive strategy to combat the avian flu outbreak and providing common sense solutions to stabilize egg prices,” TFB President Russell Boening said.

USDA’s announcement comes after a meeting Rollins hosted in East Texas. She met with county Farm Bureau leaders from Texas and other agricultural groups to hear firsthand about avian flu facing the region’s poultry sector.

“TFB looks forward to our continued work with the administration to create more opportunities for Texas farmers, ranchers and consumers,” Boening said.

Full details on USDA’s five-pronged strategy can be found here.