The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a temporary measure permitting egg imports to counter record-breaking prices and deficiencies brought about by a virulent bird flu epidemic. The move is meant to stabilize the market and provide American consumers with a stable supply of eggs.
The bird flu epidemic, which has hit poultry farms throughout the Midwest, has resulted in the slaughter of millions of hens, drastically cutting egg production. Consequently, egg prices have risen by more than 40% over the past few months, placing pressure on families and businesses alike.
This is an essential step to meet the short-term needs created by the outbreak of bird flu,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “By opening imports, we can stabilize prices and make sure that families can afford eggs at this difficult time.
The USDA action authorizes the importing of eggs from certain countries where there are tough biosecurity guidelines to avert the transmission of avian flu. The eggs will be heavily inspected to satisfy U.S. safety standards.
Industry analysts have praised the action, saying that it will be a relief for consumers. “The bird flu epidemic has brought about a perfect storm for egg prices,” agricultural economist Jane Doe said. “Opening up imports will fill the gap until production recovers locally.
However, some local producers have complained that it could hurt local farmers. “While we appreciate the need for imports, we hope the USDA will also offer assistance to assist domestic producers in recovering,” said John Smith, a representative of the National Egg Farmers Association.
The avian flu outbreak is the most severe since 2015 when a comparable epidemic resulted in the death of about 50 million birds. The USDA this time is going ahead proactively with more stringent biosecurity and very close cooperation with farmers to manage the outbreak.
Egg prices are expected to decline gradually with the arrival of imports on store shelves in the weeks ahead. To minimize health risks, other safety measures encouraged by the USDA include cooking the eggs thoroughly before consumption.
Meanwhile, the USDA has dedicated itself to striking a balance between producer and consumer interests and the long-term stability of the U.S. poultry market.
