Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are calling on USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to broaden USDA’s response to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), emphasizing the unique challenges facing the turkey and dairy industries amid what experts are calling the largest animal disease outbreak in U.S. history. In a bipartisan letter (link), the senators acknowledged USDA’s February 2025 strategic plan as a good starting point, but warned it falls short in addressing the specific needs of turkey farmers and dairy producers. They pressed for:
- Enhanced biosecurity protocols customized for poultry and dairy operations
- Accelerated vaccine development and approval, particularly for dairy cattle
- Clear trade frameworks to prevent international barriers due to vaccine use
- Timelines for coverage of turkey and dairy sectors in USDA’s strategy
The push follows the 2024 emergence of HPAI in dairy cattle — an unprecedented cross-species jump. The virus has now been confirmed in nearly 1,000 dairy herds across 17 states and has affected more than 18.6 million turkeys.
The senators urged USDA to update Congress on how it plans to integrate these concerns and prevent further devastation. The outbreak has not only battered producers but also contributed to sharp price increases in eggs, dairy and poultry products.
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