The respective co-chairs of the Congressional Chicken Caucus (Reps Steve Womack (R-AR) and Jim Costa (D-CA) and their counterparts in the Upper House, (Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Chris Coons (D-DE), are urging the USDA to exert their influence to maintain exports in the event of introducing vaccination against avian influenza.  There is no question that the broiler segment of the industry appreciates the magnitude of losses within the egg and turkey sectors in comparison with as yet minimal losses in their segment. The reality is however the effect of increased egg prices on household expenditure and the efforts by the Administration to reduce the cost of food to consumers.

Vaccination of egg-production flocks especially in high-risk areas is necessary to provide protection over and above effective structural and operational biosecurity (as opposed to "make-belief biosecurity" or "biosecurity theater" )

There is a mindset that believes that even limited applicayion of vaccination is an admission that HPAI is endemic in the U.S. and would eliminate exports of broiler leg quarters. This is a fallacious and self-serving barrier to introducing a  practical program of immunizing flocks. Any catastrophic infection that has persisted since 2022, has been diagnosed in 50 states, has an extensive wildlife reservoir and has involved depopulation of more than 110 million hens is regarded by importing nations as a firm indication of an endemic infection. Even Kabuki performances come to an end. It is now time to face reality and develop modalities that will protect all segments of the poultry industry, allow continuation of exports and above all reduce the risk of an emerging zoonotic infection.

The National Chicken Council is "communicating with key stakeholders on the importance of protecting the broiler industry's ability to export should there be a new approach to address the ongoing outbreak-including using an HPAI vaccine". This may be interpreted as lobbying for the status quo.

The justified concerns of the broiler segment devolve on the export of broiler products to the value of $4 billion in 2024. The current impasse reflects the failure of USDA to respond to the needs of the entire industry and to recognize the panornitic status of H5N1 HPAI.  USDA-APHIS should have energetically and proactively promoted acceptance of vaccination in accordance with WOAH policy among importing nations and to have devised a program to allow certification of product derived from flocks free of infection.  The Congressional Chicken Caucus is correct in pressing USDA, although belatedly, to negotiate agreements with nations importing U.S. broiler leg quarters. Many of these nations have a history of infection with avian influenza. Some importing nations use avian influenza and the prospect of vaccination to protect local industries.  The Administration now is willing to apply tariffs and other pressure to prevent unjustified embargos on U.S. broiler products. Coordination among the USDA and the Office of the Trade Representative and aggressive representations at the WOAH and WTI are now indicated. Neglect of epidemiologic realities by the APHIS and failure to include the contingency of preventive vaccination is the result of an institutional ‘bubble mentality’ at best or a response to political pressure at worst. This situation must be addressed with the application of tactical vaccination as an adjunct to biosecurity for egg and turkey commercial and breeder flocks in high-risk areas.