Avian Flu Outbreak: Republican Lawmakers Urge Calm Amid Dairy Industry Concerns
Experts Confirm Pasteurized Milk is Safe, But Raw Milk Could Pose a Threat
WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers have called for a measured response to the recent avian flu outbreak in cows, emphasizing the need for calm. Amid growing concerns over the transmission of the H5N1 strain to dairy cows, lawmakers across party lines have urged the Biden administration to provide prompt and transparent information regarding the risks for both cows and humans. While pasteurized milk has been deemed safe according to new tests and agriculture officials are implementing testing regimens for interstate cattle movements, Republicans have raised concerns about the potential negative impact of alarm and fear on the dairy industry.
Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), pointed to the swine flu outbreak in 2009, which had negligible impact on the hog industry but caused significant economic losses, as an example of the potential consequences of emotional public response. While the current H5N1 strain has only been transmitted to one farm worker in Texas, concerns have been raised about the potential risk posed by raw milk—particularly in states where it is legally sold, such as Pennsylvania.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), a vocal critic of the administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, expressed concerns that the Biden administration would exacerbate public fear, employing fear as a political strategy. Nonetheless, Republicans maintain that they are actively supporting initiatives to bolster infectious disease resources within the livestock sector. Thompson’s Agricultural Committee has released an outline for the renewal of the Farm Bill, proposing to double the investment in animal health-related research, infrastructure, and personnel to an estimated $2 billion.
Narrow Scope of Testing and Limited Information Sharing Raise Concerns
Despite the efforts being made, concerns have been raised by scientists, Democrats, and public health officials regarding the adequacy of testing and the clarity of public communication regarding the risks of the H5N1 strain. Recently released data from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed a wider prevalence of cases among cows, as well as the presence of viral fragments in milk, which shocked many. Nigel Sizer, the executive director of Preventing Pandemics at the Source, a scientific research and advocacy network, raised concerns about the lack of preventive measures and stressed that the increased contagiousness of the virus spread among livestock could pose a heightened risk to humans.
Stephen Ostroff, former deputy commissioner for food and veterinary medicine at the FDA, echoed Sizer’s concerns, highlighting the lack of comprehensive context and information about the testing methods and geographical locations from which the samples were collected. Democrats from heavily dairy-dependent states have also called for a federal action plan to support struggling farmers in testing and isolating their herds.
Republican Call for Composure Amid Concerns
Republican lawmakers, however, are urging the public not to panic. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the highest ranking Republican on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, has been proactive in seeking briefings on the developments of the bird flu from federal health and agriculture officials. Cassidy maintained communication with CDC Director Mandy Cohen, who assured him that the H5N1 strain has not spread to humans. Although Cassidy would like more information regarding potential risks, he stated that there are adequate monitoring efforts in place.
While both parties emphasize the need for thorough testing, clear communication, and support for affected farmers, Republican lawmakers are underlining the importance of steering clear from excessive alarmism that could detrimentally impact the dairy industry.
