Washington, DC — The recent crossover outbreaks of avian influenza in cattle in several states have Iowa beef and dairy producers on alert and US Senator Chuck Grassley is calling for better communication from multiple federal agencies on the topic.
Grassley says with bird flu outbreaks in cattle in Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas, he wants to ensure the USDA is working hand-in-hand with the CDC and the FDA in sharing information with the public.
Back in 2015, a widespread outbreak of avian flu forced the slaughter of more that 43 million birds in 15 states, including nearly 30 million just in Iowa, the nation’s top egg producer. Egg prices bounded some 120 percent over the course of just a few weeks.
Grassley and several colleagues from both parties have sent a letter to the three agencies, urging them “to strengthen and coordinate public information-sharing” to ensure producers — and the public — are being fully informed about outbreaks.
In their letter, lawmakers said previous outbreaks have benefited from a “consortium strategy” where the USDA brought together experts in epidemiology and animal health research to lessen the potential economic and societal cost of the spread.
