An Update on HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza)

As the egg industry battles Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), the American Egg Board (AEB) remains a resource to Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) members to help customers through these challenging times.

Last week, critical actions were announced that demonstrate essential forward progress and meaningful actions in the fight against HPAI. All of these initiatives are designed specifically to stabilize the egg supply, lower egg prices, and reduce the negative impacts of HPAI on the egg production system – and that is good news for retailers and shoppers.

Keep reading for details regarding comprehensive plans by USDA and the Trump Administration to respond to continuing outbreaks of HPAI. USDA made it clear that egg laying-hens are their first and top priority in the response, which features a five-pronged approach:

• Federal Disaster Relief funding to enable egg farms to recover after an outbreak and more swiftly get back to full production.
• Funding for research and development of vaccines and therapeutics to improve both efficacy and efficiency in deployment of vaccines in egg-laying hen flocks.
• Removal of unnecessary regulatory burdens on egg producers, including examining prescriptive state laws.
• Consideration of temporary egg import options to provide egg supply relief, with specific guidance that imported eggs must meet U.S. food safety standards.
• Expanded Wildlife Biosecurity Assessments on egg farms to identify opportunities to further strengthen biosecurity efforts and protect farms.

USDA will be forming a working group including agency leaders, industry, states, and others to tackle the various elements of the strategy. USDA also will hold bi-weekly public calls to report and track progress on their HPAI strategy. The egg industry will be actively engaged as a partner to USDA in their efforts, providing expertise wherever possible.

AEB is incredibly optimistic about this comprehensive plan and thank the USDA and the Trump Administration for their rapid response in supporting the fight against HPAI and increasing the supply of eggs and egg products. It is important to remember though that these efforts will take time, and we appreciate your continued patience as the egg industry manages through this crisis.

Keeping birds safe and healthy is every egg farmer’s top priority, and they are working around the clock to protect their birds, stabilize the egg market and replenish supply.

As further details of the individual elements of this plan take shape, AEB will communicate them, along with the implications for customers.

Retailer Support Hub

Retailers can use the Retailer Support Hub — a dedicated resource with the latest industry updates and communication tools. Whether you need information to better understand HPAI and its impact on the industry, or ways to keep customers informed, the AEB has you covered.