WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a bold effort to stabilize the U.S. poultry industry and reduce soaring egg prices, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a $1 billion plan to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The strategy, which includes funding for biosecurity measures, financial relief for farmers, vaccine research, and regulatory reforms, aims to curb the spread of bird flu and protect American consumers.
“American farmers need relief, and American consumers need affordable food,” Rollins stated. “To every family struggling to buy eggs: We hear you, we’re fighting for you, and help is on the way.”
The plan builds on existing federal aid for farmers affected by flock depopulations and takes immediate action to address the crisis, contrasting previous responses that left many struggling with high costs and industry instability.
Key Components of the USDA’s Five-Part Strategy
🔹 $500 Million for Biosecurity Measures
- Expanding Wildlife Biosecurity Assessments nationwide, beginning with egg-laying facilities.
- Providing free biosecurity audits for affected farms, ensuring they meet safety standards to qualify for future indemnification.
- Deploying 20 trained epidemiologists to help farmers prevent outbreaks caused by wild birds.
- Covering up to 75% of costs for farms to implement high-risk biosecurity improvements.
🔹 $400 Million in Relief for Farmers
- Continuing indemnification payments to farmers forced to depopulate flocks.
- Accelerating repopulation efforts by streamlining approval processes for recovering farms.
🔹 Regulatory Reforms to Boost Egg Supply & Lower Prices
- Partnering with the FDA to expand commercial egg supply while reducing regulatory burdens on small farmers.
- Investigating geographic price disparities, such as in California, where strict regulations have contributed to egg prices being 60% higher than in other regions.
🔹 $100 Million for Vaccine & Therapeutic Research
- Investing in next-generation vaccines, bio-surveillance, and disease prevention methods to minimize the need for mass depopulation of egg-laying chickens.
- Consulting with governors, agricultural experts, and poultry farmers to develop an effective vaccine strategy.
- Holding biweekly public briefings on vaccine progress.
🔹 Exploring Temporary Import Options to Stabilize Prices
- Evaluating safe, temporary egg imports to supplement domestic supply.
- Studying international best practices in egg production to improve efficiency in the U.S. market.
A National Effort to Restore Stability
With over 150 U.S. poultry facilities already adopting enhanced biosecurity measures, the USDA’s expanded efforts aim to significantly reduce the spread of avian flu, stabilize egg prices, and ensure a sustainable supply of poultry products.
Consumers, farmers, and policymakers alike will be closely watching the rollout of this initiative as the USDA moves swiftly to protect both agriculture and public health.
