“We share the concern over the devastating impact that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to have on farmed animals, producers, and the food system. However, no amount of biosecurity upgrades or export-oriented policy alone will solve a crisis fundamentally driven by the extreme overcrowding and genetic uniformity of modern industrial poultry operations.

A meaningful solution to HPAI must include addressing the root causes—starting with reducing reliance on intensive confinement, more robust breeds with higher levels of natural immunity, and supporting diversified, higher-welfare farming systems.

We urge Congress to include in the Farm Bill funding for research into more resilient, welfare-forward production systems, and to take seriously the urgent need to transition away from risky factory farming practices.

Public investment should prioritize not just protecting markets, but also preventing the next outbreak before it starts—and that means supporting a food system that puts animal welfare, public health, and sustainability first.”

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For more information, please contact: 

Alex Cragun, Head of Strategic Communications and Initiatives, alex.cragun@ciwf.org, 801-759-6455