In an effort to cut costs, the USDA inadvertently terminated several bird flu experts, a move it is now working to rectify. These terminations, part of broader federal workforce reductions, impacted essential personnel despite exemptions for veterinarians and emergency responders. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, responsible for the culling of 148 million birds and impacting egg prices and human health, necessitates these experts’ continued employment. These actions follow recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency and coincide with the cancellation of numerous contracts, some related to DEI initiatives.
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The USDA accidentally fired several employees involved in the federal response to the H5N1 avian flu outbreak over the weekend. The agency is working to immediately reverse these firings, classifying these positions as crucial to public safety and food supply. These layoffs, part of broader government cuts, caused concern among Republican lawmakers who warned of potential harm to the bird flu response. The incident highlights the challenges and unintended consequences of rapid government downsizing.
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The USDA conditionally licensed Zoetis’ avian flu vaccine for chickens, aiming to combat the devastating outbreak impacting egg prices. This conditional license, granted due to the vaccine’s demonstrated safety and efficacy, offers a potential solution to the ongoing crisis. While the US historically prioritized eradication through culling, the vaccine’s approval signals a potential shift in strategy, given the virus’s increasing spread and severity. The high cost of eggs is expected to persist into 2025, driven by the outbreak and broader inflation.
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The USDA’s directive to remove mentions of climate change from public websites is a deeply troubling development. It represents an alarming attempt to erase a scientifically established reality from public discourse, a move that undermines efforts to address the impending climate crisis and jeopardizes the well-being of countless individuals and communities. The sheer audacity of this action suggests a deliberate effort to downplay the severity of the situation and, perhaps, to prevent any meaningful policy responses.
This blatant disregard for scientific consensus is particularly egregious given the significant impact climate change is already having on agricultural practices and food security. The USDA, an agency responsible for supporting and regulating agriculture, should be at the forefront of addressing climate change’s impacts, not actively suppressing information about it.… Continue reading
A listeria outbreak linked to Yu Shang Food, Inc.’s recalled ready-to-eat meat and poultry products has resulted in one infant death and at least 10 illnesses across four states. Over 72,000 pounds of potentially contaminated products, including chicken feet, duck necks, and beef shanks, have been recalled nationwide. Nine of the eleven individuals affected required hospitalization, highlighting the severity of listeria infection. Consumers are urged to discard or return recalled products and thoroughly sanitize affected surfaces.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood