Invest in Gold-Standard Biosecurity Measures for All U.S. Poultry Producers

Biosecurity is the key to protecting poultry flocks from HPAI. We provide several services to help producers bolster biosecurity:

• Free, voluntary biosecurity assessments for commercial operations not affected by HPAI
• Biosecurity audits for commercial operations affected by HPAI or operating in a control area
• Cost share of up to 75 percent to fix the highest-risk biosecurity concerns identified by the assessments

Increase Relief To Aid Farmers and Accelerate Repopulation

USDA continues to indemnify producers whose flocks must be depopulated to control the further spread of HPAI. We are also exploring new programs to aid farmers in accelerating the rate of repopulation, including ways to simplify the approval process to speed recovery. Up to $400 million is available to support these costs for the remainder of fiscal year 2025.

Remove Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens on the Chicken and Egg Industry To Further Innovation and Reduce Consumer Prices

USDA is taking several actions to cut red tape and lower egg prices:

• Working alongside partners at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to examine strategies to safely expand supply in the commercial market for eggs
• Minimizing burdens on individual farmers and consumers who harvest homegrown eggs
• Working with farmers and scientists to develop innovative strategies to limit the extent of depopulations in HPAI outbreaks
• Educating consumers and Congress on the need to fix the problem of geographical price differences for eggs

Explore Pathways Toward Vaccines, Therapeutics, and Other Strategies for Protecting Egg-Laying Chickens To Reduce Instances of Depopulation

USDA will invest up to $100 million to support projects related to vaccines, therapeutics, research, and other strategies to combat avian influenza, lower egg prices, and protect the U.S. poultry industry. 

USDA is also soliciting public input on solutions and holding biweekly discussions with governors, State departments of agriculture, State veterinarians, and poultry and dairy farmers on vaccine and therapeutics strategy, logistics, and surveillance. 

Consider Temporary Import-Export Options To Reduce Costs on Consumers and Evaluate International Best Practices

USDA is exploring options for temporarily increasing egg imports and decreasing exports, if applicable, to supplement the domestic supply, subject to safety reviews. USDA is also evaluating international best practices in egg production and safety to determine any opportunities to increase domestic supply.