Post by : Saif Rahman

A bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators has urged swift action from the Biden administration to expedite the development of a scientifically-supported bird flu vaccine for livestock. This appeal arises as the nation grapples with one of the most significant animal health crises in recent times.

Since the onset of 2022, over 180 million chickens, turkeys, and other avian species have succumbed to the ongoing bird flu outbreak, inflicting heavy losses on farmers, increasing egg prices, and stirring up anxiety within the poultry sector. Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated in June its dedication to formulating a national vaccination strategy, there remains a lack of clarity regarding its completion timeline.

On Wednesday, 23 senators penned a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, advocating for “renewed action” as bird flu cases rise with the winter season on the horizon. This bipartisan group, comprising both Democrats and Republicans, underscores the seriousness of the situation.

Leading the letter were Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the chief Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota. Prominent signatories also included Senate Majority Leader John Thune and various Agriculture Committee members.

The senators emphasized that any conclusive vaccine strategy should be scientifically informed and shaped by insights from veterinarians, industry stakeholders, and animal health specialists. They also pointed out the necessity for transparency, ensuring farmers and exporters comprehend how vaccination might influence trade.

Earlier this year, the USDA allocated $100 million for bird flu vaccine research pertaining to egg-laying hens. However, since June, updates on project selections or vaccination strategy progression have been scarce.

Complicating matters, the Biden administration terminated a $700 million contract with Moderna in May intended to develop a human bird flu vaccine. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his criticism of vaccines, has also dismantled other federal vaccine initiatives and revised long-established vaccine guidance. These actions have sparked concerns regarding the government's readiness to tackle both animal and human health threats related to bird flu.

The poultry sector remains divided on the necessity of bird vaccination, with some farmers advocating for it as essential for outbreak control, while others express concerns about potential impacts on export markets due to import restrictions on vaccinated animals. The senators called on Secretary Rollins to engage with trading partners and producers to fully grasp the potential trade implications of any vaccination initiative.

As of late November, the USDA had yet to present a vaccination strategy to international trading partners, leaving many farmers in uncertainty about future planning.

This scenario highlights a broader challenge: balancing the imperative to shield American farms from disease while preserving robust trade relations. As winter approaches and infection rates rise, pressure mounts on the USDA to establish a coherent, scientifically-backed approach.

Currently, lawmakers, farmers, and consumers are in anticipation of decisive federal action to contain an outbreak that has already resulted in substantial economic and agricultural setbacks.

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