WASHINGTON — The current bird flu outbreak is hitting the poultry industry hard across the country. Because of this, members of congress, led by U.S. Reps. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and Sarah McBride (D-Del.), came together to write a letter to urge the USDA to restore full avian influenza surveillance and coordination to help the industry.
Poultry farmers across the nation are working hard to fight the outbreak spreading through the industry. In the past 30 days, more than 1.60 million birds have been infected, and in November alone, there have been more than 80 new detections, according to USDA data.
For California specifically, the poultry and egg industry supports more than 120,000 jobs and contributes nearly $121 billion to the nation’s economy, Costa’s team said in a release. As this outbreak continues, farm operations are disrupted, and local and national food supply chains are endangered.
The representatives also have their constituents in mind as the holiday season gets underway.
“And as we approach the holiday season, it is concerning that without avian influenza surveillance at full capacity, families across America may eat without traditionally American-produced centerpieces on their holiday dinner tables,’ the members wrote.
Consumers are already feeling the economic impact of this outbreak. Turkey wholesale prices have risen 75 percent since last October, Costa’s team added.
In the letter, the representatives also mentioned how the government shutdown and furloughs at USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention affected how soon farmers could get updates about the outbreak.
The representative concluded the letter by making their request clear.
“We respectfully call on the Department to reestablish avian influenza surveillance and research programs to their prior level of excellence — and strengthen them further—to protect all poultry, dairy and livestock farmers from further impact,” the members wrote. “Without swift action to reduce viral loads, the economic toll—from farm losses to rising grocery costs — will continue to grow.”
