March 4, 2025

USDA adopting five-pronged strategy to fight avian flu in poultry

Newly confirmed US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins, JD, on February 27 introduced new steps to battle avian flu in poultry and stabilise the US egg supply, which includes $500 million to help poultry producers shore up biosecurity measures.

Rollins detailed the USDA's strategy in an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal. The USDA also detailed the plan on its website.

Rollins wrote that there is no silver bullet for eradicating avian flu, but the USDA is adopting a five-pronged strategy, with the $500 million in biosecurity support as one of the key steps. This step will include free biosecurity assessment for commercial layer farms, with the federal government to pay up to 75% of the cost of repairing biosecurity vulnerabilities.

Second, she said the USDA will increase financial relief to affected farms and streamline approval to ensure they can resume operations as quicky as possible following outbreaks.

Regarding vaccines and therapeutics, the USDA will provide up to $100 million in research and development, with an overall goal of reducing the need to depopulate flocks. Rollins added that the USDA will work closely with stakeholders on whether to use a vaccine, if approved. "We will also work with our trading partners to minimise potential negative trade effects for US producers and to assess public-health concerns," Rollins wrote.

Some countries bar poultry imports from nations that vaccinate commercial poultry due to concerns that their use could mask ongoing avian flu circulation. However, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) said in a 2023 policy brief that the rapid spread of the virus requires a review of existing control strategies, given that current tools might not be enough.

Recently, the USDA conditionally approved a license for an avian flu vaccine for poultry made by Zoetis.

The final two steps include removing regulatory burdens, when possible, and considering egg imports as a temporary solution to boost the egg supply, if the suppliers meet stringent US food safety standards.

- CIDRAP