Ag Secretary Emphasizes Importance of Biosecurity against H5N1 Threat

June 25, 2024 GNCadm1n Washington Comments Off on Ag Secretary Emphasizes Importance of Biosecurity against H5N1 Threat

Jaime Skelton

(PNW Ag Network)

On Friday, June 21, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack submitted an opinion piece to AgriPulse, emphasizing the need for biosecurity in ag operations in light of H5N1 (bird flu).

Key takeaways from Vilsack’s opinion article:

  • H5N1 has been at “the top of the list” when it comes to potential global pandemics for years.
  • USDA claims that their scientists “understand well” the virus due to length of study.
  • The USDA makes different recommendations to dairy farmers, as cattle are affected differently by the virus; these recommendations were “designed with input from experts, including dairy producers, veterinarians, state officials and USDA researchers.”
  • Federal orders have led to more testing among cattle, which means additional herds will be detected where they would have gone unnoticed before.
  • “A small splash of milk” can spread H5N1, as it concentrates in the udder and milk of sick cows.
  • The food safety system is working well; “America’s food supply remains among the safest in the world.”

On H5N1 Spread and Biosecurity

The USDA believes that it is most likely normal business operations that spread the virus, as people, vehicles, and equipment may unintentionally carry the virus with them. Because of this, Vilsack emphasizes biosecurity as a key measure to limit the spread of H5N1, and notes help is available through the USDA. Wrote Vilsack:

USDA has many ways to support producers, including the ability to help producers pay for enhanced biosecurity plans, free H5N1 testing for dairy cattle, free shipping to send test samples to the lab, free veterinary costs, free personal protective equipment, and more.

Vilsack also indicated that the USDA intends to extend ELAP (Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program) to offer some compensation to dairy producers who experience losses in their dairy production, paid per cow over a set period of time. A cattle-specific vaccine is also in development.

Criticism of Vilsack’s statements

Stat critiqued some of Vilsack’s statements today, pointing out that the USDA’s voluntary testing program has only four herds participating since its debut on June 3. It’s clear that more effort is needed if the US is going to manage and track the virus spread in livestock.

Stat also mentioned that there is growing evidence that animals are getting infected during milking, citing a study that H5N1 can remain infectious on milking equipment for up to three hours.

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