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Highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as avian flu, is wreaking havoc in American agriculture. This devastating virus, transported by birds worldwide, is currently spreading between corral birds and dairy cattle, with several recent human cases reported between dairy workers and poultry.
Since the outbreak began in 2022, more than 162 million birds have been sacrificed. Only in the last 30 days, the avian flu has been detected in 24 states. The virus has been confirmed in poultry in the 50 states and, as of December 2024, dairy cattle infections have been informed in 16 states.
The situation is getting worse. They have increased herd, flock and human infections, farmers are dealing with market uncertainty and consumer prices continue to increase. The economic impact of this outbreak is amazing, threatening the livelihoods of farmers throughout the country.
The economic impact of this outbreak is amazing, threatening the livelihoods of farmers throughout the country. (Istock)
Only in the last quarter, more than 20 million chickens of egg stalls in the United States have died due to avian flu, which causes the conventional egg flock to be reduced by almost 4% in January. The federal government has spent more than $ 1.25 billion compensating for farmers for their losses. However, despite these efforts, the crisis remains without control.
Intelligent policy and cheaper eggs: Trump-Rollins team is good for American farmers and consumers
Instead of responding urgently and competence, federal government actions have been inappropriate. In recent weeks, the Government Efficiency Department (Doge) has made sweeping to the Federal Labor Force, dismissing the key personnel in charge of public health and disease control.
While improving government efficiency is an important objective, the indiscriminate mass dismissal of federal workers, specifically those focused on protecting the health and safety of Americans, is not the solution. In fact, it is reckless and dangerous.
The reports indicate that among Doge's first objectives in the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) were the scientists trained by doctorates that help state and local officials to respond to disease outbreaks. Other dismissed from the CDC included fellows in the laboratory leadership service, which develop evidence for new and emerging diseases and, often, collaborate with the epidemic intelligence service in outbreak responses.
At a time when public health efforts must be strengthened, federal cutting cuts of the Trump administration are undermining our ability to combat the avian flu crisis.
New aviar flu strain detected in the Nevada dairy worker, says CDC
The damage extends to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), where microbiologists specialized in the mitigation of animal diseases, including avian flu, were fired from the health inspection service of animals and plants. On February 18, the USDA publicly recognized the personnel of the Security and Inspection Inspection Service to vain by responsible error of the control and mitigation of the aviar flu.
The USDA declared that it is “working to quickly rectify the situation and terminate those letters.” It is unacceptable that this administration “accidentally” triggers the essential personnel responsible for containing this virus and safeguarding lives and livelihoods in rural America.
The consequences of this bad management are already affecting US consumers. Egg prices shot at 37% in 2024, far exceeding the general rate of food inflation of 2.5%. Only in January this year, egg prices increased more than 22%, reaching a historical maximum of $ 7.09 per dozen. The projections suggest that prices could reach almost $ 10 per dozen by the end of the year.
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Unfortunately, the most recent comments of the USDA Brooke Rollins Secretary have provided little peace of mind, such as suggesting that people should raise chickens in their own backyard. This is not useful or insurance, it is absurd. Until now, none of its proposed plans are appropriately addressed to farmers and consumers who face at this time.
The importation of additional eggs is not a reliable form of price stabilization, especially taking into account the tariffs of 25 percent of the imports of Canada and Mexico that continue on the economy. In 2023, the United States imported eggs worth $ 44.1 million of Canada, more than 40% of all egg imports to the United States. Imposing tariffs on a reliable business partner that constitutes a significant portion of existing imports will not result in better consumer prices, and certainly will not improve conditions for US egg producers.
In addition, $ 500 million to address biosafety gaps is important, but farmers will still have part of the cost while they continue to lose their chickens and chickens. I am deeply concerned that this plan imposes more costs to farmers who are in an already serious situation, and that many may not be able to enter this voluntary program due to the cost.
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The federal response to this crisis has been short at the expense of our American agricultural producers and consumers. Instead of taking decisive measures on day 1 to stop the propagation of the flu aviated or mitigate its cascade impact on our food supply chain, the actions of this administration are at risk of exacerbating the crisis.
As a member of the Congress that represents the families of the working class in Rural America, I am ready to work with the President Rollins and the rest of the Trump administration to implement a comprehensive strategy to contain this virus, stabilize the agricultural economy and reduce food prices for working families throughout our country, and I hope that the administration is willing to assume the challenge.
Click here to read more than the representative. Nikki Budzinski
