Ag Headlines, Monday September 21, 2015

Senators Warn of Outbreak, USDA Announces Bird Flu Plan

A letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack by the Senate Agriculture Committee last week asked questions over avian influenza and a possible vaccine. The letter came days before USDA announced a plan to deal with possible outbreaks this fall on Friday. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection service released the plan for potential outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The Fall 2015 HPAI Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan focuses on preventing or reducing future outbreaks, enhancing preparedness, improving and streamlining response capabilities and preparing for the potential use of AI vaccines. The report includes an updated biosecurity self-assessment for the poultry industry and a draft vaccine use strategy, as well. HPAI affected more than 48.8 million birds and 21 States before the final detection on June 17. See the plan online at ahpis dot usda dot gov (https://www.aphis.usda.gov)

Senate Republicans Launch Attempt to Nullify WOTUS

While labeled a long-shot by Agri-Pulse, Senate Republicans are seeking to strike down the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. rule. Legislation by Iowa Senator Joni Ernst seeks a disapproval resolution that would have to be enacted over a presidential veto. According to Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley’s office, a resolution of disapproval is a legislative procedure used to try to overturn regulations and rules put forth by the executive branch. If the Senate and House pass the resolution, the President must sign it to become law. If the President vetoes the bill, Congress must overturn the veto for the resolution to take effect. 47 Republican senators sponsored the resolution.

Chicken Supply, Demand Both Up

The chicken industry has produced more ready-to-cook meat than a year ago, but the market demand is absorbing the production. Production is up 7 percent, according to an analysis by Stephens Inc. Meatingplace reports retail demand for broilers is still strong due to the relative price of chicken to other proteins. Meanwhile, wings are more popular than ever and not just in football season and recovering export markets should support breast and leg quarter prices. Export markets remain a challenge after more than 40 countries banned U.S. chicken due to the spring avian influenza outbreak. Total exports are down about 10 percent from a year ago.

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