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The very pathogenic Aviaire Influenza – generally known as bird flu – damage to American agriculture. This devastating virus, worn by birds worldwide, is currently spreading among us poultry and dairy cattle, with various recent human cases reported to dairy and poultry employees.
Since the outbreak started in 2022, more than 162 million birds have been agreed. Just in the last 30 days, Bird flu is detected In 24 states. The virus is confirmed in poultry in all 50 states and from December 2024 were reported in 16 states.
The situation worsens. Herd, herd and human infections have risen, farmers are struggling with market uncertainty and consumer prices continue to rise. The economic impact of this outbreak is amazing and threatens the livelihood of farmers throughout the country.
The economic impact of this outbreak is amazing and threatens the livelihood of farmers throughout the country. (Istock)
In the last quarter alone, more than 20 million chickens in eggs in the United States died as a result of bird flu, as a result of which the conventional herd of herd shrinks by almost 4% in January. The federal government has spent more than $ 1.25 billion to compensate farmers for their losses. Despite these efforts, however, the crisis remains uncontrolled.
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Instead of responding with urgency and competence, the actions of the federal government have been insufficient. In recent weeks the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) has made radical cuts for the federal workforce and rejecting key staff responsible for public health and disease control.
Although improving the efficiency of the government is an important goal, the random massic shooting of federal employees, in particular aimed at protecting the health and safety of Americans, is not the solution. It is even reckless and dangerous.
Reports indicate that under the first goals of Doge at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scientists from Ph.D. Were those state and local officials helping to respond to outbreaks of diseases. Others rejected from the CDC were fellows in the Laboratory Leadership Service, which develop tests for new and emerging diseases and often collaborate with the epidemic intelligence service on outbreak reactions.
At a time when the efforts for public health must be strengthened, the federal employees of the Trump government undermine our ability to combat the bird flu crisis.
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The damage extends At the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), where microbiologists who specialize in mitigation of animal diseases – including bird flu – were fired by the Health Health Inspectorate. On February 18, USDA publicly wrongly recognized food safety and inspection service staff wrongly, responsible for bird flu control and restriction.
USDA stated that it “works to rectify the situation quickly and to withdraw those letters.” It is unacceptable that this administration “accidentally” essential staff is responsible for containing this virus and securing lives and resources of existence in the countryside of America.
The consequences of this mismanagement are already American consumers. Egg prices increased by 37% in 2024, which exceeded the total food inflation of 2.5% far. In January of this year alone, egg prices rose by more than 22%and reached a record high of $ 7.09 per dozen. Projections suggest that prices can reach almost $ 10 per dozen by the end of the year.
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Unfortunately USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins‘The most recent comments have offered little reassurance, such as suggesting that people have to raise chickens in their own backyard. This is neither useful nor safe – it is absurd. Until now, none of her proposed plans is going on whether the squeeze farmers and consumers are currently being supplied.
Importing extra eggs is not a reliable form of price stabilization, especially given the 25 percent rates for import from Canada and Mexico that continue to loom over the economy. In 2023, the United States imported $ 44.1 million in eggs from Canada – more than 40% of all EI imports to the United States. The imposition of rates on a reliable trading partner who forms a significant part of the existing import will not translate into better prices for consumers, and it will certainly not improve the circumstances for our egg producers.
Furthermore, $ 500 million is to tackle lacunes for biosafility, but farmers will still bear part of the costs while they continue to lose their chickens and chickens. I am very concerned that this plan will impose further costs on farmers who are in an already terrible situation, and many people may not be able to enter this voluntary program because of the costs.
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The federal response to this crisis has been deficient at the expense of our agricultural producers and American consumers. Instead of taking decisive action on day 1 to curb the spread of bird flu or to reduce the step -by -step impact on our food supply chain, the actions of this administration risk the crisis to worsen.
As a member of the congress that represents working -class families in the countryside of America, I am ready to work with the president, secretary Rollins and the rest of the Trump administration To implement an extensive strategy to limit this virus, to stabilize the farmer’s economy and to lower food prices for working families in our country, and I hope that the administration will be willing to take on the challenge.
