Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and 20 other senators in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize its avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry. The senators sent a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, calling for a comprehensive and science-based approach to vaccinating poultry and livestock affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
“We are writing to encourage the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue prioritizing an avian flu vaccine strategy that takes into account a comprehensive, science-based approach for the potential vaccination of poultry and livestock that have been impacted by this disease,” the senators wrote. “Avian flu infections have already begun to increase as winter approaches, and it is essential that USDA take renewed action to address and fight this virus.”
The letter highlighted that the USDA has a draft proposal for an avian flu vaccine strategy under review. The senators urged swift advancement of this process with input from stakeholders: “The USDA recently noted that a draft proposal of an avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry was currently under review, and we strongly urge the Department to advance this review process with speed and diligence, while allowing for proactive consultation with affected stakeholders,” they continued. “Any finalized vaccine strategy must take into account feedback from animal health stakeholders, industry experts, and be grounded in sound science. It must also be comprehensive in scope, addressing all impacted species, including turkeys and egg-laying hens. Once a vaccine is developed and USDA has confirmed its safety and efficacy, a vaccine strategy for dairy cattle should also be prioritized.”
Industry groups including the National Turkey Federation, United Egg Producers, and National Milk Producers Federation endorsed the call for an HPAI poultry vaccine strategy.
“America’s egg farmers genuinely appreciate the bipartisan Senate cooperation in support of farmers’ fight against HPAI. Like everyone, we value food affordability, and we believe that a successful trade strategy that leads to a viable vaccine strategy is the right long-term solution. Consumers love eggs and we all benefit from the stability of a market where outbreaks of HPAI can be contained,” said Chad Gregory, President and CEO of United Egg Producers.
Leslee Oden, President and CEO of National Turkey Federation added: “National Turkey Foundation (NTF) supports USDA developing a vaccination strategy as one component of a broader approach to HPAI and we believe that plan should be shaped through meaningful stakeholder input and accompanied by active engagement with trading partners to modernize international standards and ensure trade continuity. We look forward to continuing our work with USDA, members of Congress and industry partners to strengthen animal health, ensure food affordability and maintain access to key export markets.”
Dr. Jamie Jonker, Chief Science Officer at National Milk Producers Federation stated: “Investing in vaccine development and strategic deployment will be a critical piece of controlling and eradicating this disease from dairies across the country.. Until that day, we remain diligent in our work with our partners on Capitol Hill, at USDA and in the private sector to mitigate H5N1’s negative effects on dairy producers and consumers.”
Since 2022, more than 184 million birds across nearly 2,000 flocks have been affected by avian flu outbreaks nationwide; these include over 21 million turkeys as well as more than 141 million laying hens. In addition to poultry losses there have been impacts on over 1,000 dairy herds throughout the country.
Alongside Grassley, Klobuchar, Rounds,and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), signatories included Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Ben Ray Luján(D-N.M.), Todd Young(R-Ind.)and Bernie Moreno(R-Ohio).
The full text of their letter can be read online.
