As the avian flu continues to impact millions of laying hens, causing egg prices to hit an all-time high, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a significant investment of $1 billion to combat the spread of the virus. This initiative aims to bring consumer prices back to a manageable level. In an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins detailed the department's five-pronged strategy to tackle the avian flu crisis.
The USDA's comprehensive plan includes a substantial allocation of $500 million to upgrade biosecurity measures at poultry farms. An additional $400 million is earmarked for financial relief to assist farmers whose flocks have been severely affected by the flu. This funding is crucial as many farmers have already invested heavily in security improvements.
Moreover, the USDA plans to explore increased egg imports, potential vaccines for laying hens, and the dismantling of certain regulations that Secretary Rollins argues place undue burdens on egg producers. "This five-point strategy won’t erase the problem overnight, but we’re confident that it will restore stability to the egg market over the next three to six months," Rollins stated. "This approach will also ensure stability over the next four years and beyond."
The USDA's intervention comes shortly after egg prices reached unprecedented levels. In January, the average price for large, Grade A eggs in U.S. cities soared to $4.95 per dozen, nearly double the price from the previous January and approximately $3 more than in January 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The primary culprit for this increase is the bird flu.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has resulted in the death of more than 166 million birds since 2022, affecting 973 dairy herds across 16 states. Additionally, over 12,200 wild birds have been detected with the virus in 51 jurisdictions. Despite 64 human cases being identified, there is no known person-to-person transmission, and the CDC considers the risk to public health low.
Secretary Rollins recently visited four states to engage with farmers and ranchers, discussing the challenges they face due to avian flu. She also hosted a roundtable with several governors to explore collaborative efforts to combat the virus. This announcement followed a meeting at the White House where President Donald Trump addressed the nation's governors about the pressing issue of egg prices.
The United Egg Producers, a cooperative of U.S. egg farmers, has expressed support for the USDA's plan. In a statement, the group emphasized its readiness to collaborate with the administration and USDA in these critical initiatives. The organization is currently reviewing the plan with its members to identify immediate ways to support and enhance this robust strategy to halt the spread of HPAI nationwide.
The USDA may consider increasing egg imports from countries like Turkey, potentially increasing egg purchases from 70 million to an estimated 420 million this year. A spokeswoman assured that any imported products would meet safety requirements for American consumers.
To fund these initiatives, Secretary Rollins mentioned that the USDA is collaborating with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in wasteful spending. These funds will be repurposed to invest in long-term solutions to combat avian flu.
