The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to invest up to $100 million in research aimed at developing therapies and vaccines to combat bird flu in poultry. The decision comes in response to a prolonged outbreak that has severely impacted the poultry industry, leading to a drastic reduction in egg supply and soaring prices.
Since the outbreak began in 2022, nearly 170 million egg-laying hens and other birds have been culled to contain the spread of the virus. The USDA mandates the culling of infected flocks to prevent further transmission, but this has contributed to a supply shortage, pushing egg prices higher. To mitigate the impact, the U.S. government has also decided to expand egg imports, adding South Korea to the list of countries exporting eggs to the U.S., which already includes Turkey and Brazil.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that these measures are part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to stabilize egg prices and ensure food security. “We are committed to protecting our food supply, supporting farmers, and making essential food items affordable for American consumers,” Rollins stated.
In addition to imports, there is an ongoing debate about the use of vaccines to curb the spread of the virus. Currently, the USDA has not approved any bird flu vaccines, but officials are evaluating potential candidates to address the evolving flu variants. Some industry leaders have expressed support for vaccinating poultry and even dairy cows, while others remain skeptical about the effectiveness and economic viability of large-scale vaccination programs.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known critic of certain vaccines, has raised concerns about the long-term implications of widespread vaccination. However, supporters argue that a well-developed vaccine strategy could significantly reduce outbreaks and limit the need for mass culling in the future.
The USDA’s $100 million investment is expected to accelerate research into effective treatment and prevention methods. Meanwhile, increased egg imports aim to stabilize the market and ease the burden on consumers facing higher grocery bills.
