SE North Carolina News

Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina has joined a bipartisan group of 16 senators in addressing the avian flu outbreak. The senators sent a letter to Brooke Rollins, the new Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), proposing strategies to enhance the department's response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

The letter was initiated by Senators Joni Ernst from Iowa and John Fetterman from Pennsylvania. It emphasizes the urgency needed as the United States enters its fourth year battling HPAI, which has severely impacted farms, led to the depopulation of over 136 million birds in commercial poultry operations, and affected some farm workers.

The senators propose several measures supported by egg and turkey farmers. These include developing a strategy for vaccinating laying hens and turkeys, creating an HPAI Strategic Initiative involving industry experts, and implementing movement controls for animals posing risks.

Additionally, they address two related concerns: biosecurity audits on previously infected farms needing qualified auditors before enforcement and revising indemnity rates for laying hens and pullets based on more accurate data. They emphasize that these indemnities are crucial but insufficient to cover losses fully.

The letter concludes with a commitment from the senators to collaborate with Secretary Rollins on this significant animal health issue.