Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins is currently testifying before the House Agriculture Committee.
Ranking Member Angie Craig pressed Rollins on support for a national animal disease vaccine strategy, referencing concerns from turkey growers in Minnesota.
Rollins emphasized they are not ruling anything out.
“We are looking at all of the above. We have $100 million committed. We have 417 applications. Ranking Member Craig, we are currently working through vaccines, therapeutics—we’re looking at everything across the board.”
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What is it like working cattle with an outbreak of New World Screwworm so close to home? Wayne Cockrell, with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, joined us on Wednesday to discuss.
“We believe that it is just a matter of days or weeks... before we see New World screwworm in Texas.”
Rollins says the new trade relationship with Taiwan, which is committed to buying a significant amount of U.S. soy, could not come at a better time for farmers facing financial strain.
Farmers may benefit from higher turkey prices this holiday season, but risks from HPAI and limited poult placements could further strain the supply.
With the latest detection just across the border, animal health officials on both sides are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak before it spreads further north.