USDA Discusses Bird Flu Strategies Amid Trade Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. — USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service officials are set to discuss the ongoing bird flu outbreak with state officials and industry stakeholders today, raising questions about the future of vaccination strategies.

In a statement to Agri-Pulse, Rollins indicated that the USDA’s five-pronged approach to bird flu will explore vaccines, therapeutics, and other measures to protect egg-laying chickens and mitigate depopulation. “USDA is taking a targeted, science-driven approach to developing next-generation solutions and will invest up to $100 million to determine the best path forward,” she noted.

Chad Gregory, President and CEO of United Egg Producers, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Vaccination is the most promising solution to protect our flocks and the most likely to restore and stabilize the U.S. egg supply.” He urged the USDA for clarity on vaccination efforts.

Meanwhile, Rollins reassured that Mexico‘s recent constitutional amendment to ban genetically modified (GM) corn will not disrupt U.S. trade. Following discussions with Mexican Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué, she confirmed there is no intention to block corn exports. “He assured me that there is no intention to block trade,” Rollins wrote on social media platform X.

This follows the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), where a dispute resolution panel deemed a prior ban on importing GM corn unjustified. Currently, Mexico has lifted the import ban but is enacting domestic restrictions.

Rollins also met with Canadian Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay to discuss concerns about trade barriers affecting U.S. dairy exports. President Donald Trump suggested imminent new tariffs on Canadian dairy exports, citing a high out-of-quota tariff rate for U.S. exports, although Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that these tariffs would not take effect before April 2.

In another ongoing development, various farm and food industry groups are asking the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission to employ “sound science” in formulating its recommendations regarding pesticides and biotechnology. The groups argue that these products are critically regulated to ensure their safety.

“We are eager to share with the commission our significant concerns regarding unfounded criticisms levied against the safety of the food and agricultural value chain,” the groups stated in a letter sent to Rollins and other officials.

Earlier this week, over 120 agricultural trade organizations wrote to Senate leaders, advocating for the swift confirmation of Luke Lindberg as USDA’s undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. The letter stated, “U.S. agriculture needs a dedicated champion in this role.” Lindberg, who previously served under the U.S. Export-Import Bank, has strong ties to Senate leadership.

Speaking at the National Farmers Union conference in Oklahoma City, Jon Doggett, former CEO of the National Corn Growers Association, warned that farmers might hesitate to adopt new conservation practices due to frozen federal payments and a downturn in the farm economy. “If you’re a young farmer and the price of corn has a four in front of it instead of a six, your bankers aren’t going to let you dive into some of those things,” he stated.

Additionally, former Senator Tom Harkin criticized potential budget cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), claiming they could worsen global hunger issues. Harkin articulated that reducing aid sends a message of disregard for international humanitarian needs.

Finally, two programs aiding small-scale farms to find markets in schools and child care facilities are being terminated. Farmer Ryan Marquardt highlighted the importance of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA), which previously facilitated more efficient operations for producers.

“I’m sitting on a ridiculous amount of brisket at the moment,” he remarked, lamenting the loss of a vital outlet for harder-to-sell products.

The article previously misstated that the March 11 call with industry stakeholders would include Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins. This has been corrected.