A failed response to bird flu is damaging farmers and consumers

Highly pathogenic avian influenza – commonly known as bird flu – is wreaking havoc on American agriculture. This devastating virus performed by birds worldwide is currently spreading between our poultry and dairy cattle, which has been reported between dairy and poultry workers in many recent human affairs.

Since outbreaks started in 2022, more than 162 million birds have been closed. In the last 30 days, bird flu has been detected in 24 states. The virus has been confirmed in poultry in all 50 states and as of December 2024, dairy cattle infections in 16 states have been reported.

The situation is deteriorating. Flock, herd and human infections have increased, farmers are struggling with market uncertainty, and consumer prices continue to rise. The economic influence of this outbreak is threatened by the livelihood of farmers across the country.

The economic influence of this outbreak is threatened by the livelihood of farmers across the country. (Istock)

In the last quarter alone, more than 20 million egg laying chickens in the United States died due to bird flu, causing traditional eggs to reduce around 4% in January. The federal government has compensated farmers over $ 1.25 billion for its loss. Nevertheless, despite these efforts, the crisis remains uncontrolled.

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Instead of responding with urgency and capacity, the action of the federal government has been inadequate. In recent weeks, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has made extensive deduction in the federal workforce, rejecting prominent personnel working with public health and disease control.

While improving government efficiency is an important goal, the indiscriminate firing of federal workers is not a solution, especially focusing on protecting the health and safety of Americans. In fact, it is careless and dangerous.

Reports suggest that the first goals of Dogi at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were PhD-educated scientists who assist the state and local authorities in response to the outbreak of the disease. Others rejected by CDC included peers in laboratory leadership service, who develop tests for new and emerging diseases and often collaborate with epidemic intelligence service to outbreak reactions.

At a time when public health efforts should be strengthened, the Trump administration’s federal workforce is reducing our ability to deal with the bird flu crisis.

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The damage extends to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), where a microbiologist – with bird flu specialized in animal disease mitigation – was expelled from animal and plant health inspection service. On 18 February, the USDA accidentally accepted the food security and inspection service employees responsible for bird flu control and mitigation.

The USDA said it is “working to improve the situation rapidly and save those letters.” It is unacceptable for this administration that the essential personnel assigned to the essential personnel assigned to the necessary personnel with the inclusion of this virus and keeping life and livelihood safe in rural America requires fire.

The results of this mismanagement are already killing American consumers. Egg prices rose 37% in 2024, which overtook the overall food inflation rate of 2.5%. In January alone this year, egg prices jumped over 22%, which reached $ 7.09 per dozen per dozen. Estimates show that prices can reach about $ 10 per dozen by the end of the year.

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Unfortunately, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins’ most recent comments have given very little assurances, such as people should raise chickens in their own backyard. It is neither helpful nor safe – it is absurd. So far, none of his proposed plans is addressing farmers and consumers who have adequately squeezed adequately.

Importing additional eggs is not a reliable form of value stabilization, especially given 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico which continues to loose on the economy .. In 2023, in 2023, the United States imported eggs worth $ 44.1 million from Canada – import more than 40% eggs to the United States. Applying tariffs to a reliable trading partner, which creates an important part of existing imports, is not going to translate better prices for consumers, and it will definitely not improve conditions for US egg producers.

In addition, $ 500 million is important to address bio -safety gaps, but farmers will still bear some costs while continuing to lose their chickens and chickens. I am deeply concerned that the scheme will impose further costs on farmers who are already in critical condition, and may not be able to enter this voluntary program due to many costs.

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The federal response to this crisis has decreased at the cost of our agricultural producers and American consumers. Instead of taking decisive action on day 1, the work of this administration has been increased by the work of this administration to prevent the spread of bird flu or reduce its cascading effect on our food supply chain.

As a member of the Congress representing the families of the working class in rural America, I am ready to work with President, Secretary Rollins and the rest of the Trump administration to implement a comprehensive strategy to include the virus, stabilize the farm economy, and reduce food prices for families working across the country, and I hope to increase the administration challenge.

Click here to read more than rape. Nikki Budzinsky