Ag Industry Reacts To Vaccinating Poultry For Flu, Many Disagree

BrownfieldAgNews reports:

Vaccinating livestock and poultry for the H5 series of avian influenza viruses does not have support from the entire ag sector.

Friday, Zoetis announced USDA issued a conditional license for it’s killed virus-derived vaccine labeled for use in chickens. The Congressional Chicken Caucus responded, saying vaccination in any poultry sector will jeopardize the entire export market for all U.S. poultry products. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Christopher Coons (D-DE), and Congressmen Steve Womack (R-AR) and Jim Costa (D-CA) say more than 77% of the HPAI affected birds have been egg laying hens, and vaccinating poultry would have a potential 10-billion-dollar annual loss to broiler farmers and the U.S. economy.

Another letter to Secretary Rollins from the International Dairy Foods Association, National Milk Producers Federation, United Egg Producers, and the National Turkey Federation asked for urgent development of vaccines for dairy cattle, turkeys, and laying hens. They say USDA must remain dedicated to engaging with international trading partners to ensure trade policies reflect the new realities of a world that is constantly combating these viruses. The supporters say it is imperative that a science-based surveillance strategy be developed in which infected animals can be distinguished from vaccinated animals, and that any validated, risk-based surveillance strategy must be agreed upon by our international trading partners.

Egg, turkey, and dairy leaders have asked for a meeting with Rollins to discuss a path forward.

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called on President Trump Tuesday to develop a plan to contain the avian flu outbreak impacting poultry flocks and dairy herds and driving record-high egg prices. Baldwin also says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) refused to provide updated information to the public and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and failed to publish the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) for the first time in decades due to the pause on all public health communications.