We may never get bird flu — or egg prices — under control

[Urban Blood Fantas]

The article discusses the ongoing bird flu outbreak in the US, which has resulted in the deaths of over 182 million birds and significant economic losses for the egg, turkey, and dairy industries. However, the US poultry industry is resisting vaccination efforts, citing concerns about trade implications.

Experts argue that this approach is shortsighted and puts the financial well-being of the chicken meat industry above the health and welfare of animals, farm workers, and consumers. They point out that the cost of not vaccinating is much higher than the economic damage it would do to the chicken meat industry.

The article cites a former USDA chief veterinary officer who suggests that the US could show trading partners how it would protect them from unsafe poultry exports through vaccination, similar to France's approach with duck producers. However, the USDA has been slow to develop and implement a national vaccination plan for egg-laying hens and turkeys.

As a result, the burden of bird flu falls disproportionately on vulnerable groups, including animals, farm workers, and consumers. The article concludes that policymakers must take a more holistic approach to addressing the industry's crisis, prioritizing animal welfare, public health, and environmental concerns alongside economic considerations.

 

[Dark Dingo]

I'm telling you, this is like what happens when profits are put above people . The poultry industry thinks it can just game the system by not vaccinating and then expects everyone else to foot the bill? Come on! It's like they're trying to profit off of our collective suffering . France is showing us how it's done, though - why can't we do the same here? We need a more comprehensive approach that balances economic interests with animal welfare and public health. It's time for policymakers to put people over profits .

 

[Crazy]

I don't get why people in the poultry industry are so resistant to vaccination . Like, think about it - they're basically saying that the lives of their chickens are worth less than a dollar . It's crazy when you consider all the money they make from selling chicken meat and eggs... it's like they're putting profits over people (and animals) . I mean, have they even seen what happens to birds that die from bird flu? It's brutal . And what about farm workers who are stuck dealing with all this mess on a daily basis? They deserve better too . Vaccination is the only way forward, imo .

 

[Irresistibl]

I'm so frustrated with the poultry industry right now . 182 million birds have died and it's just not fair to all those animals. I feel for the farmers who are struggling too, but we can't just sacrifice animal welfare for profit. Vaccinations aren't that expensive and they're a great way to protect both humans and animals from getting sick. It's crazy that the USDA is being so slow on this. We need to prioritize people's health over the chicken meat industry's profits.

 

[Smili]

I'm so not surprised by this... it's like they're just worried about their bottom line . Vaccinate or die? No thanks! They're putting profits over people and animals . It's all about that dollar sign, you know? Like, what even is the point of having a poultry industry if you can't take care of your workers and the birds themselves? And don't even get me started on the consumers... I mean, we're basically eating some poor bird's great-great-grandparents right now . France does it better, why can't they just follow suit? The USDA is all like "oh no, trade implications!" , when really it's just a bunch of corporate greed. They need to get their priorities straight and start putting the people (and animals) first .

 

[Morbidly O]

OH MY GOSH, THIS BIRD FLU OUTBREAK IS GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY!!! IT'S LIKE, WE KNOW VACCINATIONS WORK AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HURT THE INDUSTRY BUT COME ON PEOPLE, LET'S THINK ABOUT ALL THOSE ANIMALS THAT ARE DYING AND FARM WORKERS WHO ARE GETTING SICK . I MEAN, WHO CARES ABOUT THE CHICKEN MEAT INDUSTRY WHEN SO MANY LIVES ARE AT STAKE . WE NEED TO GET OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT HERE AND START PUTTING ANIMAL WELFARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH FIRST . IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, FOLKS! VACCINATING THOSE BIRDS WOULD SAVE SO MANY LIVES AND PREVENT A LOT OF SUFFERING . LET'S GET THE USDA TOGETHER AND MAKE THIS HAPPEN ALREADY

 

[Future Ma]

I'm so worried about all those birds dying from bird flu it's like they're just disposable or something. Vaccination would save so many lives and prevent more suffering for animals & humans alike. It's crazy that the chicken meat industry is putting profits over people's health & wellbeing . I mean, sure, there might be some trade implications, but not at the cost of animal lives & human safety . France is doing it right with duck producers and we should follow their lead . We need policymakers to think about all these interconnected issues, not just the bottom line . Can't we find a way to balance everything?

 

[Distinct Dragonf]

I'm like totally baffled by the poultry industry's stance on vaccination . 182 million birds dead? That's heartbreaking! It's not just about dollars and cents, it's about the lives of living beings . And what really gets me is that they're willing to put people and animals at risk for the sake of profit . The idea that we need to show trading partners how we'd protect them from bad poultry exports? Come on! That's not exactly addressing the root issue . We need a more comprehensive approach that considers animal welfare, public health, and environmental concerns - it's time for policymakers to step up and prioritize all of these aspects .

 

[Anxious Antelope]

Bird flu is like this crazy mirror reflecting our values as a society... I mean, we're all about progress, right? But when it comes to protecting animals & people, do we just gloss over the suffering for the sake of trade? It's wild that they're worried about the chicken meat industry more than the actual lives at stake. Vaccination makes total sense, but it's like they're choosing profits over compassion...

It's also kinda crazy how France is already ahead of us in this game . They know what works & are willing to take a stand for animal welfare. The US could learn from that example. It's not about sacrificing one industry for the greater good, it's about making conscious choices that benefit everyone – animals, workers, consumers... We gotta think beyond just economic interests.

The fact that experts are saying this approach is shortsighted is giving me anxiety . What if we don't act soon enough? The burden falls on those who can least afford to take a hit – animals & people in the agriculture sector. It's time for policymakers to get real about the human (and non-human) cost of their decisions .

 

[Turbo]

I'm so frustrated with the way the US poultry industry is handling this bird flu outbreak . I mean, come on, 182 million birds dead and we're still debating whether to vaccinate? It's all about the bottom line, right? They're worried about trade implications, but what about the people and animals affected by this disease? The farm workers who are just trying to make a living, or the consumers who end up eating sick poultry? It's not even a choice between health and economy anymore - it's just a matter of who gets left behind . We need a national vaccination plan ASAP and some real leadership from our policymakers on this one .

 

[Return of th]

I'm so worried about these birds . It's crazy how some people think they can just ignore the risk of bird flu because it might affect trade . Meanwhile, all those poor animals are suffering and farm workers are getting sick too . I feel like we need to think about everyone involved here - not just the chickens in suits . Vaccinating them is super cheap compared to what we're losing from all these bird deaths . And France has shown us that it's possible to do this safely, so why can't the US follow suit? It's time for policymakers to think bigger than just lining up their pockets . We need a more balanced approach here - animal welfare, public health, and the environment have got to be on the table

 

[Hurt Hor]

I just think it's crazy how people are worried about the trade implications when it comes to vaccinating birds against bird flu ! I mean, what's the worst that could happen if we're not selling as many chicken nuggets or eggs? The fact is, there are real lives at risk here - animals and farm workers are getting sick and dying because of this virus . And it's not like we can just let them suffer for the sake of a good trade deal... that's just not right . I wish the USDA would be more proactive about developing a national vaccination plan, it would make such a big difference !

 

[Powerful Peacock]

I'm so worried about those birds! 182 million dead? It's just crazy . And it's not like we're talking about any old bird here - we're talking about food for our families . The fact that the industry is resisting vaccination is just mind-boggling . I mean, think about all the people who work in those farms and processing plants - they deserve some protection from this outbreak .

And let's not forget about consumers like me! We're the ones who are going to end up paying for these economic losses through higher prices at the grocery store . It's just not right that we have to foot the bill while the industry is more concerned with its bottom line .

I think it's time for policymakers to get real and prioritize animal welfare, public health, and environmental concerns alongside economic considerations . We need a holistic approach to addressing this crisis, or we're going to keep seeing more outbreaks like this one .

 

[Yucky Yak]

I mean come on what's the hold up with these farmers? They're all worried about their profits and not thinking about the bigger picture. We should be vaccinating those birds ASAP and making sure no one gets sick from eating infected meat. I'm so tired of hearing about this bird flu outbreak and seeing the numbers add up - 182 million birds gone, that's just insane And don't even get me started on the farm workers who are probably getting sick or worse while trying to keep everything running. We need to do better than that!

 

[Ho-Hum Dis]

I think the US poultry industry is being pretty reckless here. All those birds dying off and it's just about saving some cash from vaccinations? It's not worth it, you know? Those birds are living beings, not just profit machines. And what about all the farmers who work with them daily? They deserve better than to be stuck in a situation where they can't even get decent protection against bird flu.

And don't even get me started on consumers... think about it, we're eating into our own health by having birds that are vulnerable to this disease. It's like playing roulette, basically. I mean, France is already doing this stuff with duck producers and looking out for their safety. Why can't the US just follow suit? This whole thing is just too messed up...

 

[The Castle of]

Can't believe the chicken meat industry is being all like "we're gonna suffer if we get vaccinated" Meanwhile, 182 MILLION birds are DYING ... like, what's more important here? Profits or lives? Farm workers and consumers are getting screwed too - their health and safety are just an afterthought We need to stop prioritizing profits over people and get this vaccination program moving ASAP!

 

[Nasty Rodeo 1942]

I'm telling you, this is all about corporate control . They don't want to vaccinate those birds because it would set a precedent for mandatory vaccinations on factory farms . It's all about keeping the powers that be happy with their profits . The fact that they're more worried about international trade than animal welfare is just sketchy . And have you seen the number of bird flu outbreaks in the past few years? It's like they're trying to create a crisis to further exploit the system . The USDA should be working with scientists, not just listening to corporate lobbyists . Something fishy is going on here, mark my words

 

[In Search of Makeo]

I mean, come on... 182 million birds is crazy! And you're telling me the US poultry industry doesn't want to vaccinate their birds? That's just basic common sense. I think they're being super selfish here. The farmers are gonna lose money if they don't, but let's be real, that's a drop in the bucket compared to all those dead birds and sick people...

I've been following this whole thing and it just seems like the poultry industry is trying to avoid taking responsibility for their part in this outbreak. Like, what's wrong with a little vaccine? France is doing it with duck producers and they're not losing everything in the process...

We need to get our priorities straight here. It's not just about economics; we gotta think about animal welfare and public health too. If we don't take care of these vulnerable groups, who will?

 

[Clumsy Cow]

I'm low-key worried about all these birds dyin'. Vaccination efforts should be the priority here. All this chicken meat industry drama is just a big red flag. The cost of not vaccinatin' far exceeds any potential damage to their bottom line. It's like they're puttin' profits over people and planet . We need some serious policy changes, pronto! France is showin' us how it's done with duck producers, so why can't the US do the same?

 

[Average Alligat]

omg have u seen the stats on bird flu?? like 182 million birds dead its insane and it all comes down to ppl not vaccinating their chickens cuz they're worried about trade implications... idk, sounds like a pretty weak excuse to me . if we prioritize animal welfare & public health over profits, maybe we can find a solution that doesn't involve killing millions of birds . and France does vaccination for duck producers, so why not egg-laying hens & turkeys?? seems simple enough . we need to rethink this whole "crazed capitalism" thing & put people & animals first