Urgency Grows as Bipartisan Senate Letter Urges Action Against Devastating Bird Flu Crisis

FIRST ON FOX: Republican Senator Joni Ernst has reached out to newly appointed Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, emphasizing the need for immediate action to combat the bird flu epidemic that is significantly affecting farms across the nation.

In the letter, Ernst underscored the multitude of pressing issues awaiting the new Secretary. She specifically urged for enhanced efforts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The Senator appreciated Rollins for prioritizing this issue during her testimony before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

The situation has escalated as the United States enters the fourth year of the HPAI outbreak. The devastation inflicted on farms has reached alarming levels, requiring the culling of over 136 million birds in commercial poultry operations. There has also been a concerning increase in infections among farm workers. The letter calls for renewed urgency from the USDA to effectively respond to the rapidly evolving crisis.

Proposed Measures to Mitigate the Crisis

In the correspondence, the Senators endorsed several strategies put forth by egg and turkey farmers aimed at mitigating the severe impact of the crisis. Key recommendations include implementing an aggressive vaccination program for both hens and turkeys, establishing a stockpile of vaccines, and enhancing outreach to trading partners to avert negative repercussions on trade.

Focus on Biosecurity Audits

The bipartisan letter urged the USDA to reconsider a Biden administration order that mandates biosecurity audits on farms that have been previously infected or are located within a control area’s buffer zone. These requirements are essential for farms to qualify for indemnities.

While the proposed changes promise to strengthen biosecurity and enhance accountability for indemnity claims, the letter pointed out that the execution of the rule was rushed. Consequently, there has been a shortage of trained auditors capable of conducting these essential audits, with the audit guidelines currently remaining in draft form. The authors of the letter call for the USDA to ensure the availability of a sufficient number of qualified auditors before enforcing this rule.

Indemnity Rates and Proposed Revisions

Furthermore, the letter stressed that current indemnity rates for laying hens and pullets stem from inaccurate data, resulting in artificially low compensation for farmers. The Senators proposed solutions, including a strategy from the egg industry to amend the calculations for indemnities using revised data sourced from USDA and land-grant institutions. This change aims to create a fairer compensation system for affected farmers.

Even with suggested changes to the indemnity formulas, egg farmers cautioned that the proposed payments would still fall short of fully compensating producers for their losses. They urged the Secretary to ensure proper outreach to all farmers in reviewing indemnity practices.

Bipartisan Support from Senators

This critical letter garnered bipartisan support, with signatures from influential Democratic Senators such as John Fetterman, Amy Klobuchar, and Raphael Warnock, alongside Republican Senators including Bernie Moreno, Jerry Moran, and Chuck Grassley.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Ernst highlighted her commitment to safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers and maintaining stability in local economies deeply impacted by the spread of HPAI. She emphasized the importance of cooperation with the Trump administration in identifying solutions to this pressing crisis.

The Current State of the Bird Flu Outbreak

American farmers and those involved in agriculture continue to struggle against the relentless surge of H5N1 bird flu, which experts warn is approaching disastrous levels. Recent reports have indicated that this outbreak may be one of the worst in the past decade, overshadowing even the 2015 epidemic that wreaked havoc on the poultry industry.

Eggs Unlimited Vice President Brian Moscogiuri articulated the grave situation by stating that the industry has lost 120 million birds since the beginning of 2022. He noted that just in the last few months, there was a loss of 45 million egg-laying hens. This significant loss, accounting for over 13% of production, has led to severe supply shortages across the country.

Efforts and Stance of Secretary Rollins

During her confirmation hearing, Secretary Rollins expressed her strong focus on assembling a dedicated team to effectively tackle the bird flu crisis along with other agricultural diseases. A USDA spokesperson confirmed that Rollins acknowledged the letter from Senator Ernst and her colleagues, promising a swift response.

The spokesperson conveyed that the Secretary is keen to collaborate with Ernst and her colleagues to address this crucial issue swiftly. Criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the avian flu outbreak has been noted, with claims that inflationary economic policies have exacerbated the situation.

Rollins reaffirmed her commitment to implementing aggressive strategies to combat the bird flu and ultimately help bring down the cost of eggs, ensuring that American consumers can afford them.

Key Takeaway on Bird Flu Response

As the avian influenza crisis continues to unfold, the responsive measures put forth by lawmakers and the USDA will be crucial in protecting farmers and ensuring food security across the nation. Continuous support and targeted action will play a pivotal role in navigating this burgeoning challenge.

Fox News Digital’s Kristen Altus contributed to this report