The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is scrambling to rehire employees it mistakenly laid off amid efforts to curb the ongoing bird flu outbreak. The accidental terminations, which affected key personnel involved in the federal response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), have raised concerns among lawmakers and industry experts about the government’s ability to manage the crisis.
A USDA spokesperson confirmed that several positions supporting the bird flu response were notified of their termination over the weekend but assured that the agency is working quickly to rescind the letters. “USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service frontline positions are considered public safety positions, and we are continuing to hire the workforce necessary to ensure the safety and adequate supply of food to fulfill our statutory mission,” the spokesperson stated.
This mistake comes at a crucial time when the bird flu outbreak has already devastated poultry flocks, causing egg prices to skyrocket and raising public health concerns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 68 human cases of the virus in the U.S., further emphasizing the need for a coordinated response.
The layoffs were part of broader workforce reductions initiated under the Trump administration. The administration has been aggressively cutting federal employees across multiple agencies, a move spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, these reductions have sparked bipartisan concerns, especially regarding their impact on critical public health initiatives.
Republican lawmakers on the House Agriculture Committee have expressed frustration over the lack of guidance from the administration regarding these cuts. Some members have privately urged the White House to reconsider, warning that downsizing the USDA’s avian flu response team could have severe consequences.
“They need to be more cautious,” said Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a member of the Agriculture Committee. “There’s an old saying, ‘Measure twice, cut once.’ Well, they are measuring once and having to cut twice. Some of this stuff they’re going to have to return back. I just wish they’d make a better decision up front.”
The layoffs also alarmed researchers working on bird flu containment efforts. Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, warned that firing employees from the USDA’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network would set back efforts to control the virus. “It’s creating a lot of problems,” he stated.
The avian flu outbreak has already resulted in the loss of millions of birds, with the USDA confirming infections in 151 flocks affecting 23 million poultry. The economic impact has been significant, with egg prices continuing to rise due to supply chain disruptions.
Additionally, concerns have emerged over cuts to a USDA program that works with poultry farmers to reduce bird populations near airports, a measure designed to enhance aviation safety. Experts fear that reductions in funding for infectious disease research could also hinder efforts to develop long-term strategies for preventing future outbreaks
The situation has also left many federal workers in limbo. Some of the terminated employees were reportedly probationary workers those with less than two years of federal service making them more vulnerable to sudden job losses. However, reports suggest that some long-term employees who had transferred within agencies or received promotions were also affected.
While the administration has cited “performance” issues as the reason for the firings, some of the affected employees had previously received strong performance reviews. In a similar incident last week, the administration attempted to reinstate nuclear safety employees but struggled to locate them due to a lack of updated contact information.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who recently took office, has pledged to review the USDA’s response strategy to bird flu. According to a department statement, Rollins convened a panel on her first day to explore comprehensive measures for combating the outbreak.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are pushing for more transparency on the administration’s staffing decisions. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, stated that he anticipates “further clarity on the status of this review across USDA mission areas” following Rollins’ confirmation.
As the USDA works to reverse the accidental layoffs, the broader debate over government downsizing and its impact on critical public health functions continues. For now, industry experts and lawmakers alike are watching closely to see how the administration addresses this costly mistake and ensures that vital food safety and disease control efforts remain intact.
