The U.S. government has spent billions of taxpayer dollars bailing out the poultry industry, inadvertently worsening the avian flu crisis. Since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in 2022, the federal government has reimbursed poultry producers for losses caused by mass culling of infected flocks. However, these payments have encouraged industry practices that perpetuate the spread of the virus rather than addressing its root causes.
Avian flu thrives in the crowded conditions of industrial poultry farms, where millions of birds are housed in close quarters. Instead of incentivizing improved biosecurity measures or transitioning to more sustainable farming methods, government bailouts have allowed major poultry companies to continue business as usual. This cycle of infection, culling, and compensation has entrenched the disease, making it a persistent threat to both agriculture and public health.
Moreover, the risk of avian flu jumping to humans remains a major concern. Scientists warn that continued outbreaks increase the chances of viral mutations that could spark a global health crisis. Despite this, regulatory agencies have done little to push for systemic reforms in poultry farming. Instead, the financial burden falls on taxpayers, who are effectively subsidizing an industry that contributes to the problem.
Critics argue that instead of rewarding unsustainable practices, government funds should be redirected toward stricter biosecurity measures, improved animal welfare standards, and incentives for smaller, less densely packed farms. Without such changes, avian flu will remain a costly and dangerous cycle, sustained by public money and industry resistance to re
form.
