Ernst Works with USDA to Mitigate Avian Flu

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined her colleagues in calling on Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to prioritize the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) vaccine strategy for poultry and dairy cattle.

HPAI infections have already begun to increase as winter approaches, with a new case in Iowa being detected as recently as last week. After the USDA revealed a draft proposal of HPAI vaccine strategy for poultry is currently under review, Ernst and her colleagues highlighted to the importance of a timely, comprehensive, and science-based approach in a letter to Rollins.

“We value USDA’s continued action to curb the spread of avian flu. Producers, veterinarians, and the American public depend on timely, science-based action to safeguard animal health and protect our nation’s food security,” the senators wrote. “As we prepare and respond to the resurgence of this virus, a thoughtful and comprehensive vaccine strategy will strengthen our ability to fight and mitigate avian flu.”

“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,” the senators continued.

Background:

Ernst has long been a champion of Iowa poultry producers. Following the increase in HPAI outbreaks in both Iowa poultry flocks and dairy herds, she worked to hold federal agencies accountable to providing the public and state agencies with coordinated, up-to-date, and accurate information on the spread of the virus. She provided the USDA with a blueprint for developing an effective plan to combat HPAI and protect Iowa poultry farmers, directly raising the need for a vaccination strategy that takes trade into account. Ernst also advocated for critical relief for Iowa turkey farmers impacted by avian metapneumovirus.

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