During a recent White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt made a statement regarding the surge in egg prices, attributing it to the mass killing of over 100 million chickens. However, this claim requires further context to fully understand the situation.
The 'killings' mentioned by Leavitt are actually a necessary measure mandated by the Department of Agriculture to contain the spread of avian flu, a highly contagious virus that has affected approximately 100 million birds since 2022. The affected birds either succumb to the virus naturally or are culled to prevent its further spread. Farmers are required to report any outbreaks to state authorities and the Department of Agriculture, which then take steps to eliminate the infected birds from the flock. In cases where farmers lose their flocks due to the virus, they can seek financial assistance from the USDA.
Recent data from the USDA indicates that in just November and December, around 17.2 million egg-laying hens were lost to the avian flu, accounting for half of the total losses in 2024. Consequently, egg prices are projected to increase by 20% this year as the virus continues to spread and flocks take time to repopulate. The avian flu has not only impacted egg production but has also spread to dairy farms and has been detected in humans.
It is crucial to understand that the culling of infected birds is a preventive measure to curb the spread of the virus. Without these actions, the avian flu could proliferate further, leading to even higher egg prices. The USDA, under the current administration, is actively involved in managing the avian flu situation and providing support to affected farmers. Unless there are changes in the bird flu policy, the USDA will continue to assist in addressing the challenges posed by the virus.
