ICYMI: Rep. McBride Leads Statement Demanding Secretary of Agriculture Restore Bird Flu Monitoring

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In case you missed it, earlier this month Representative Sarah McBride, Delaware's Congresswoman, sent a letter to Secretary Brooke Rollins at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) demanding that the department restore full bird flu surveillance and research programs.

Congresswoman McBride and dozens of her colleagues insist that persistent surveillance and close monitoring are the only effective measures to mitigate the spread and protect commercial and family poultry farms from the devastating effects of the virus.

With over 1 million birds infected in the last 30 days alone, avian influenza season has already impacted flocks of poultry around the country. McBride says that is driving supply shortages and rising grocery prices nationwide. Paired with affordability concerns across the board, each new bird flu infection adds pressure for farmers and families.

"Unfortunately, the devastating effects of bird flu in our poultry barns is already showing up on grocery bills and," McBride noted,"could pose serious risks if it spreads across species as we've seen in years past."

Congresswoman McBride and her colleagues are calling on the USDA to restore the full excellence of research and departmental coordination that is essential to stop the spread of avian influenza.

"Recent reports indicate that the USDA-coordinated National Animal Health Laboratory Network suspended its weekly calls due to the government shutdown," McBride and colleagues wrote,"reducing appropriate coordination and critical information sharing that is imperative to combating avian influenza."

The lawmakers are insistent that the administration recognize the importance of research, monitoring and demand that further action be taken to protect poultry farmers and American consumers.

"Our message is clear," McBride said,"USDA must fully restore and strengthen avian influenza research, monitoring, and mitigation programs. By taking action, the USDA can and must reduce viral loads in flocks, stabilize grocery prices, and lower the risk of spillover to humans."

Read the full letterfrom Rep. McBride to Secretary Rollins.

Read coverage and relevant reporting regarding the letter at the articles below:

AGDAILY, Lawmakers urge USDA to restore full avian flu surveillance, AGDAILY Reporters 11/25/25

Feedstuffs, USDA urged to fully restore bird flu surveillance, Kristin Bakker 11/25/25

WATT Poultry, US Congress members push for full HPAI surveillance, Roy Graber 11/26/25

aviNews, U.S. lawmakers push for stronger Avian Influenza surveillance, David Corredor 12/3/25

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