The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a $1 billion investment aimed at addressing the ongoing impact of avian flu on egg supplies and prices. In an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins outlined a five-pronged strategy to tackle the virus. The plan allocates $500 million to enhance biosecurity measures at poultry farms and $400 million in financial aid to farmers affected by avian flu outbreaks. The funding for biosecurity will support farmers who have already spent significant sums improving safety protocols. Additionally, the USDA will explore increasing egg imports, developing potential vaccines for laying hens, and revising regulations deemed burdensome to egg producers. Rollins emphasized that while the strategy will not resolve the issue immediately, it aims to stabilize the egg market within three to six months and ensure long-term stability. The announcement follows record-high egg prices in January, with large Grade A eggs reaching $4.95 per dozen in U.S. cities, driven by the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Since 2022, HPAI has resulted in the death of over 166 million birds and affected 973 dairy herds across 16 states. The USDA’s plan comes after Rollins visited several states to engage with farmers and ranchers, and hosted a roundtable with governors to discuss collaborative efforts against avian flu. Former President Donald Trump also highlighted the urgency of addressing the egg crisis during a meeting with governors. The United Egg Producers, a cooperative of U.S. egg farmers, expressed support for the initiative, pledging to work with the USDA. Potential increases in egg imports may include sourcing from Turkey, with annual purchases potentially rising from 70 million to 420 million eggs. The USDA assured that any imported products would meet U.S. safety standards. To fund these initiatives, Rollins stated that the USDA is collaborating with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut wasteful spending and redirect those funds toward long-term avian flu solutions. — news from The Washington Post