McBride, Costa Lead Letter Urging USDA to Restore Full Bird Flu Surveillance as Holiday Season Approaches

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-DE) and Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Chicken Caucus, led dozens of Members of Congress in a letter calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately restore full avian influenza surveillance and coordination amid renewed outbreaks across the country. Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, also joined the letter.

The request comes as poultry farmers nationwide confront a sharp rise in bird flu outbreaks — with more than 90 new detections in the last 30 days, and over 1.6 million birds infected, according to USDA data. In Delaware, the first outbreak of the season was detected in Kent County in early November. With Thanksgiving and the winter holidays approaching, Members warn that reduced federal coordination caused by the historic government shutdown and reductions in force (RIFs) threatens farmers’ ability to respond quickly and contain the spread. 

“We write to express our deep concern about the recent rise in avian influenza—a now seasonal epidemic impacting poultry farmers and driving up grocery prices across the United States…And as we approach the holiday season, it is concerning that without avian influenza surveillance at full capacity, families across America may eat without traditionally American-produced centerpieces on their holiday dinner tables.” the Members wrote. 

McBride said Delaware’s poultry farmers — many of whom she has met with in recent months — are among those most affected.

“Family farmers in Delaware help feed the entire region and work around the clock to keep families’ holiday traditions alive every year,” said Rep. McBride. “When bird flu hits, farmers don’t just face higher costs — they face uncertainty and devastation– often forced to cull their entire flocks. The federal government has an obligation to protect farmers from tragedy, and that means reestablishing bird flu surveillance at its full capacity. 

“This isn’t just about protecting farmers; it’s also about keeping grocery prices stable and ensuring every family can gather around a table with the food they depend on. As we head into the busiest season of the year for poultry farmers in Delaware, we need every federal tool working at full strength. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Protecting our nation’s food supply and supporting family farmers are responsibilities we all share.”

In the letter, Members sound the alarm of reduced surveillance efforts, highlighting reports that the USDA-coordinated National Animal Health Laboratory Network suspended its weekly calls, “reducing appropriate coordination and critical information sharing that is imperative to combating avian influenza.” 

The letter also points out that furloughs and RIFs at USDA and CDC are limiting real-time reporting capacities, hampering farmers’ ability to respond to outbreaks in real time and save their flocks from infection.

The Members conclude with a clear request to the USDA: “We respectfully call on the Department to reestablish avian influenza surveillance and research programs to their prior level of excellence—and strengthen them further—to protect all poultry, dairy, and livestock farmers from further impact. Without swift action to reduce viral loads, the economic toll—from farm losses to rising grocery costs—will continue to grow.” 

The full letter is available here.

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