USDA credits 5‑point plan for plunging egg prices but says outbreak continues to threaten flocks
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Summary
Secretary Rollins credited a department five‑point plan for a 56% drop in wholesale egg prices and said USDA has directed additional funding to combat avian influenza, while members urged continued research and support for affected poultry and dairy producers.
WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told the House Appropriations Subcommittee that an early administration five‑point plan helped drive down wholesale egg prices but that avian influenza remains a major concern for poultry and other livestock.
"In February, at the direction of president Trump, I announced a significant 5 point plan... since the plan was introduced, the wholesale price of eggs has decreased 56% with retail following," Rollins said. Committee members from poultry‑producing districts welcomed the price relief while pressing the department to sustain vaccine, surveillance and indemnity efforts for affected flocks.
Why it matters: the 2022 avian influenza outbreak decimated poultry flocks in multiple states and spread to other livestock; losses affect producers' incomes, processing capacity and retail prices for consumers.
Rollins said USDA had directed additional funds toward combating the disease and prioritized work to reduce processing burdens that affected the poultry sector. Representative David Kline (questioner) and others urged continued funding for Agricultural Research Service and APHIS staff working on avian influenza and related animal health threats. "We will definitely do that," Rollins said in response to requests to maintain research and staff positions focused on poultry disease control.
Members also raised related animal‑health concerns, including blackhead disease in turkeys, and urged sustained support for laboratory research and field staff. Rollins said the department would continue to prioritize those efforts as part of a broader focus on food safety and farm profitability.
Context: committee members from states with significant poultry and turkey production recounted losses in their districts and asked for updates on indemnity, testing, and processing facility policies.