Feenstra Calls on USDA to Launch Strategic Initiative to Combat Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
HULL, IOWA – Last week, U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Jim Costa (D-CA), and Don Davis (D-NC) led a group of their House Agriculture Committee colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to call on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a Strategic Initiative to combat the spread of HPAI – colloquially known as “Bird Flu” – in Iowa and nationwide.
The HPAI Strategic Initiative would be housed within the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
“Out of the more than 100 million birds that have been affected by HPAI across 48 states since this outbreak began in 2022, nearly 25% have been in Iowa – devastating producers, destroying flocks, and impacting entire communities. The financial impact of this crisis is also projected to easily surpass the $3.3 billion in damages from the previous outbreak from 2014 to 2015. That’s why I’m calling on Secretary Vilsack to establish a HPAI Strategic Initiative within APHIS to investigate enhanced biosecurity measures, explore potential vaccination efforts, and discover more efficient and cost-sensitive ways to destroy infected birds. This initiative will ultimately save taxpayer dollars by establishing a proactive approach to mitigate, prevent, and respond to HPAI outbreaks,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Bringing the brightest minds together to combat this disease will be crucial to the long-term success of our producers, businesses, and rural communities. The uncertainty that HPAI causes to the entire agricultural community is unsustainable, and we need to be doing more to adequately protect our flocks. USDA has the authority to establish a HPAI Strategic Initiative and I look forward to working with Secretary Vilsack to get this collaborative research started as soon as possible. Representing the top egg-producing district and one of the top poultry-producing districts in the country, I will continue to advocate for policies that help our poultry and egg producers succeed and combat the root causes of bird flu outbreaks.”
The lawmakers noted that “We believe that this deadly and costly disease requires a new, dynamic approach to bring long-lasting benefits to our farmers and producers. Therefore, we urge you to establish a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Strategic Initiative within USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Unprecedented times require action, and establishing an initiative that brings the brightest minds together to discover effective methods to combat HPAI will be essential to eventually eradicate this disease and protect our farmers.”
“The main objectives of the research are outlined below, but we encourage you to engage with Congress (including the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees), land-grant universities, dairy and poultry producers, state and federal agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and other relevant experts to develop additional goals.
1. Advanced biosecurity measures and wild bird deterrents: Developing new, innovative biosecurity methods, including those to deter wild birds, is crucial for preventing future HPAI outbreaks.
2. Vaccination: As countries around the world adopt vaccines, we should continue to prioritize research on potential vaccine traceability, efficacy, and development of a cost-effective, mass-use vaccine. This research should in no way disrupt international trade or damage our relationships with our foreign trading partners but instead guide future conversations with our key trading allies.
3. Efficient depopulation methods and bird disposal processes: Finding more efficient, cost-effective, and humane ways to depopulate infected flocks will help producers respond to any future outbreaks,” the lawmakers continued.
The full letter can be found HERE.
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