Washington, DC – The United States Department of Agriculture is taking steps to combat the soaring egg prices caused by the bird flu epidemic. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a new plan aimed at reducing egg prices and addressing the outbreak.

Rollins stated that it may take a few months for egg prices to decrease but hopes to see improvement by summer. The department’s efforts will focus on increasing biosecurity on egg-laying farms and assisting farmers who have lost flocks in recovering more quickly. Additionally, the USDA may temporarily allow imports of eggs to boost supply.

While some farmers expressed disappointment with the plan, Rollins assured that the USDA is exploring the use of vaccines and therapeutics in chickens to reduce the need for culling birds. The agency will invest $1 billion in the new approach, partly funded by Department of Government Efficiency cuts.

The plan also includes measures to enhance wildlife biosecurity, reimburse affected farmers, and conduct research and development on new therapeutics. Rollins emphasized the importance of protecting poultry from H5N1 and acknowledged that vaccines could play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of the virus.

Despite previous efforts to stop the spread of bird flu through culling, the current epidemic has proven challenging, with over 166 million birds lost since February 2022. Taxpayers have borne the costs of the outbreak, facing higher egg prices and compensating poultry producers for their losses.

Rollins acknowledged the need for a comprehensive approach that includes vaccination, biosecurity measures, and surveillance. The World Organization for Animal Health supports vaccination as a necessary measure to control the spread of bird flu, emphasizing the importance of using high-quality vaccines regularly updated to match circulating viruses.

Farmers and poultry producers are encouraged to share data on vaccine efficacy and commit to robust testing to prevent the silent spread of the disease. The goal is to protect flocks, reduce severe disease, and minimize the risk of transmission to other species.

In conclusion, the USDA’s new plan aims to address the challenges posed by the bird flu epidemic, providing a multi-faceted approach to safeguarding poultry and reducing the impact of the virus on both the agricultural industry and public health.