Klobuchar, Rounds, Colleagues Urge USDA to Prioritize HPAI Poultry Vaccine Strategy

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Mike Rounds (R-SD) led 21 of their colleagues in urging Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to move forward with the USDA’s avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry while encouraging a comprehensive, science-based approach.

“We are writing to encourage the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue prioritizing an avian flu vaccine strategy that takes into account a comprehensive, science-based approach for the potential vaccination of poultry and livestock that have been impacted by this disease,” wrote the Senators. “Avian flu infections have already begun to increase as winter approaches, and it is essential that USDA take renewed action to address and fight this virus.”

“The USDA recently noted that a draft proposal of an avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry was currently under review, and we strongly urge the Department to advance this review process with speed and diligence, while allowing for proactive consultation with affected stakeholders,” the Senators continued. “Any finalized vaccine strategy must take into account feedback from animal health stakeholders, industry experts, and be grounded in sound science. It must also be comprehensive in scope, addressing all impacted species, including turkeys and egg-laying hens. Once a vaccine is developed and USDA has confirmed its safety and efficacy, a vaccine strategy for dairy cattle should also be prioritized.”

The National Turkey Federation, the United Egg Producers, the National Milk Producers Federation, the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, and the Minnesota Milk Producers Association endorsed the Senators’ call for an HPAI poultry vaccine strategy.

“The National Turkey Federation (NTF) commends Senators Amy Klobuchar and Mike Rounds for their bipartisan leadership in elevating the need for a credible, science-driven approach to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccination,” said Leslee Oden, president and CEO of the National Turkey Federation. “NTF supports USDA developing a vaccination strategy as one component of a broader approach to HPAI, and we believe that plan should be shaped through meaningful stakeholder input and accompanied by active engagement with trading partners to modernize international standards and ensure trade continuity. We look forward to continuing our work with USDA, members of Congress and industry partners to strengthen animal health, ensure food affordability and maintain access to key export markets.”

“America's egg farmers genuinely appreciate the bipartisan Senate cooperation in support of farmers' fight against HPAI. Like everyone, we value food affordability, and we believe that a successful trade strategy that leads to a viable vaccine strategy is the right long-term solution. Consumers love eggs, and we all benefit from the stability of a market where outbreaks of HPAI can be contained,” Chad Gregory, President and CEO, United Egg Producers.

“Dairy farmers and their cooperatives appreciate Ranking Member Klobuchar and Senator Rounds in their efforts to unite the Senate in advocating to give high priority to a national vaccine strategy for avian influenza that includes dairy cattle considerations. As we approach the two-year mark since the H5N1 bird flu virus began affecting our herds, biosecurity remains critical for the dairy industry,” said Dr. Jamie Jonker, Chief Science Officer at the National Milk Producers Federation. “Investing in vaccine development and strategic deployment will be a critical piece of controlling and eradicating this disease from dairies across the country,” said Jonker, who leads NMPF’s efforts to coordinate the dairy industry’s response to bird flu. “Until that day, we remain diligent in our work with our partners on Capitol Hill, at USDA, and in the private sector to mitigate H5N1’s negative effects on dairy producers and consumers.”