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USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins REJECTS bird flu vaccines, focuses on biosecurity and re-population to lower egg prices
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USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins REJECTS bird flu vaccines, focuses on biosecurity and re-population to lower egg prices
- USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins rules out bird flu vaccines, citing inefficacy and long-term risks to chicken populations.
- The Biden administration’s mass culling of chickens is blamed for skyrocketing egg prices, crippling the food supply chain.
- Rollins unveils a $1 billion plan focused on biosecurity, repopulation, deregulation, and egg imports to stabilize prices.
- Farmers urged to adopt natural, immunity-boosting practices instead of relying on vaccines or mass culling.
In a bold move to address the ongoing egg price crisis, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins has declared that bird flu vaccines are “off the table” in the fight to stabilize the nation’s food supply. Speaking exclusively to Breitbart News, Rollins outlined a $1 billion plan to combat the soaring cost of eggs, emphasizing biosecurity measures, re-population of chicken flocks, and deregulation of the poultry industry. The decision comes as the Biden administration faces mounting criticism for its handling of the avian flu outbreak, which led to the mass culling of over 160 million chickens—a move Rollins and others argue was both scientifically unsound and economically devastating.
The Biden administration’s approach to the avian flu crisis has been nothing short of catastrophic. By culling entire flocks at the first sign of a positive PCR test, the USDA not only disrupted the food supply chain but also prevented chickens from developing natural immunity to the virus. This short-sighted policy has left the nation’s poultry industry vulnerable to future outbreaks, while driving egg prices to record highs. Rollins, however, is determined to chart a new course—one that prioritizes the health and resilience of chicken flocks over knee-jerk reactions and ineffective vaccines.
The failure of vaccines and the dangers of mass culling
Rollins’ decision to reject bird flu vaccines was informed by the experiences of other nations, particularly Mexico, where vaccinated chickens still contracted the virus at alarming rates. “Eighty to 83 percent of those chickens still get the avian bird flu,” Rollins explained, adding that the vaccines required multiple doses and offered little protection. “The virus always wins,” she said, echoing the words of Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, a fifth-generation farmer and veterinarian.
The USDA’s new plan shifts the focus away from vaccines and mass culling, which Rollins described as “devastating” to the poultry industry. Instead, the agency will prioritize biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus and repopulate flocks that were unnecessarily destroyed under the previous administration. “We don’t have to kill 160 million chickens,” Rollins said, emphasizing the need for a more sustainable and scientifically grounded approach.
A new approach: biosecurity and natural immunity
At the heart of Rollins’ plan is a commitment to biosecurity—a set of practices designed to protect poultry farms from the avian flu virus, which is often transmitted by wild birds. “The avian flu is extremely pathogenic,” Rollins explained. “It’s transmitted through wild fowl. If a wild goose flies over your egg-laying barn and defecates, and someone steps in that and walks into the barn, you’ve got an avian flu case that spreads like wildfire.”
To combat this, the USDA is investing in pilot programs that secure barns with proper ventilation, patched roofs, and reinforced walls. These measures have already proven effective, with only one of 150 pilot projects experiencing an avian flu outbreak since implementing biosecurity upgrades. “That allows you to keep laying the eggs and keep feeding your state, the country, and the world,” Rollins said.
In addition to biosecurity, Rollins is advocating for a shift in how farmers approach flock health. Instead of culling entire populations at the first sign of infection, farmers are encouraged to support their chickens’ natural immunity. This approach not only reduces the economic impact of outbreaks but also strengthens the long-term resilience of the poultry industry.
10 ways farmers can improve flock health without vaccines or mass culling
1. Enhance biosecurity measures: Secure barns with proper ventilation, patched roofs, and reinforced walls to prevent wild birds from entering.
2. Promote natural immunity: Allow chickens to recover from mild infections, building resistance to future outbreaks.
3. Optimize nutrition: Provide a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support immune function.
4. Reduce stress: Minimize overcrowding and ensure chickens have access to clean water and comfortable living conditions.
5. Implement rotational grazing: Allow chickens to forage in fresh pastures, reducing exposure to pathogens.
6. Use probiotics: Supplement feed with beneficial bacteria to promote gut health and immunity.
7. Practice proper sanitation: Regularly clean and disinfect barns, equipment, and footwear to prevent the spread of disease.
8. Monitor flock health: Conduct regular health checks to identify and address issues early.
9. Breed for resilience: Select chickens with strong immune systems and resistance to disease.
10. Educate farmers: Provide training on sustainable farming practices that prioritize flock health over short-term gains.
The USDA’s new approach represents a significant departure from the failed policies of the past. By rejecting vaccines and mass culling, Rollins is championing a more sustainable and scientifically grounded strategy—one that prioritizes the health of the nation’s poultry industry and the stability of its food supply.
As the nation grapples with the economic fallout of the avian flu crisis, it is clear that the old ways of doing things are no longer sufficient. The time has come for a new paradigm—one that values resilience over reactivity, and natural immunity over artificial interventions that do more harm down the long haul. The future of the poultry industry, and the affordability of eggs, depends on it.
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March 10, 2025 at 09:20AM
March 10, 2025 at 09:46AM
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