Senators, producers press USDA for faster avian-influenza response, vaccine options and trade safeguards

Members of the Senate Agriculture Committee heard pleas from turkey, egg, dairy and livestock producers for an accelerated, coordinated federal response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), greater support for other animal diseases and protections for export markets.

Witnesses described recent outbreaks that they said have caused large bird losses, prompted credit stress and driven some producers to exit production. They urged USDA and Congress to speed access to vaccines and to create a strategic initiative that coordinates disease response, trade negotiations and indemnity programs.

John Zimmerman, chairman of the National Turkey Federation, told the committee that the turkey industry is facing a ‘‘one-two punch’’ of HPAI and avian metapneumovirus (AMPV): "AMPV is more subtle, but equally impactful due to its ability to significantly reduce egg sets of the breeder stock that produces the next generation of turkeys and cause severe prolonged mortality in commercial flocks." Zimmerman said AMPV currently lacks indemnity eligibility and asked that Congress make it eligible under USDA’s Livestock Indemnity Program.

Why it matters: witnesses said HPAI and related respiratory viruses have disrupted supplies of eggs and poultry products, raised input and financing costs, and created long-term trade questions that could affect U.S. exports.

Key details and requests

- Disease scale and economic impact: Tony Wesner of Rose Acre Farms and the United Egg Producers said the industry has lost roughly 10 million birds to HPAI since 2015, with about 6 million lost since January of the current year; he noted 6 million of those recent losses were layers. Zimmerman said AMPV has affected 60–80% of turkey flocks in some areas and Minnesota alone reported more than 127 HPAI cases in commercial turkeys that led to losses exceeding 6.6 million birds.

- Vaccination and research: Witnesses urged a clear, rapid pathway for vaccine importation, approval and deployment. Zimmerman and Wesner both called for expedited, coordinated vaccine strategies that also address trade implications; Zimmerman said…