Animal disease outbreaks were a big topic in the Senate Ag Committee confirmation hearing for USDA nominee Brooke Rollins.
Topics discussed during her questioning ranged from the management of federal forests to paving the way for the next Farm Bill, and the threat of disease on agriculture.
She had a few things to say about HPAI and the recent outbreak in Georgia.
“Just learning of the devastation in Georgia just over the last few weeks with the poultry outbreak and the depopulation there of our poultry. Of course, to your point about dairy, its been infecting some of the dairy herds, I believe across sixteen states. There is a lot that I have to learn on this and if confirmed this will be, as I mentioned in my opening statement, one of the very top priorities,” Rollins noted. “We are hyper-focused on finding the team right now. I assure you they’re already working— I have obviously respected the process and not gotten too involved— but I know that the current team and the future team will be working hand-in-hand to do everything we can on animal disease.”
Meanwhile, Delaware has expanded efforts to monitor avian flu in wild birds.
State officials and USDA are collecting sick snow geese and other wildlife as part of a statewide tracking initiative. Residents are encouraged to report sightings and follow safety guidelines when handling birds, while waterfowl hunters are urged to take extra precautions.
In Virginia, the first HPAI case in three years was reported at a commercial poultry facility.
State ag officials and the state’s Extension program are urging poultry owners to enhance biosecurity, particularly by reducing explore to migratory birds.
Since December, over 16 million laying hens across the U.S. have been infected and depopulated, representing about 5% of the national laying flock.
