The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been tackling avian influenza outbreaks with significant financial resources, aiming to mitigate the substantial impacts on the poultry and dairy industries. According to figures shared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) during an Agri-Pulse webinar on Thursday, the USDA’s response to avian influenza in poultry and cows will cost at least $2 billion.
Jonathan Zack, director of the APHIS National Preparedness and Incident Coordination Center, provided detailed insights into the expenditures. APHIS has committed about $1.3 billion to date, including $901 million to cover the depopulation of poultry and eggs, and $239 million on the disposal of birds and associated personnel costs. An additional $163 million has been allocated to address a recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cows.
The USDA has an additional $816 million available to continue addressing the presence of avian flu in both poultry and cows, ensuring that more resources will be available if needed. This funding underscores the USDA’s commitment to controlling avian flu outbreaks and minimizing their impact on the agriculture sector.
The financial toll highlights the ongoing challenges posed by avian influenza and the critical need for robust prevention and response strategies. The USDA’s efforts, which include culling infected animals, compensating farmers, enhancing biosecurity measures, and investing in research, are vital to safeguarding the nation’s food supply and the economic stability of the poultry and dairy industries.
