By Andi Anderson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to rehire employees who were recently terminated but played key roles in the response to the ongoing bird flu outbreak. The layoffs were part of a broader government efficiency effort aimed at reducing the federal workforce.
The bird flu outbreak has led to the culling of 160 million birds since 2022, mostly egg-laying hens. As a result, egg prices soared to an average of $4.95 per dozen. The federal government has spent nearly $2 billion on outbreak management, including $1.2 billion in compensation to affected farmers.
Some USDA workers in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), responsible for overseeing national lab networks detecting bird flu, were among those let go. A USDA spokesperson confirmed that they are working to reverse these terminations, acknowledging the critical role of these employees.
Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about the cuts. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar criticized the decision, emphasizing the need for trained personnel during such a crisis. Republican Rep. Don Bacon urged caution in downsizing efforts, stating that critical missions should not be compromised.
The Trump administration is also considering changes in its approach to handling bird flu outbreaks, possibly reducing the need to cull entire flocks. However, details of the revised strategy remain unclear.
The USDA's response to the bird flu crisis remains a priority, with efforts underway to rehire essential workers and refine disease control measures.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Iowa, Government & Policy