On Wednesday, February 26, Tony Wesner, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Rose Acre Farms, testified before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry during the "Perspectives From the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy" hearing. Wesner, representing United Egg Producers (UEP), shared insights into the ongoing challenges facing the egg industry, particularly the devastating impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and called for urgent government action to address the crisis.

Wesner began his testimony by thanking the Committee for the opportunity to speak, and introduced himself as the CEO of Rose Acre Farms, the second-largest egg producer in the country, with a flock of 25.5 million hens. “Farmers who supply eggs, the feed that makes U.S. egg production possible, and our retail and foodservice customers have lived in harmony and balance, until the arrival of HPAI in 2015,” Wesner explained. The situation has significantly worsened since 2022, with HPAI leading to the depopulation of more than 147 million birds and contributing to a nationwide egg supply crisis.

“It's been challenging ever since, and HPAI has caused pain at every level for our customers and consumers,” Wesner said. “This unprecedented disruption in the egg market is systemic, and the volatility is being felt nationwide, as are the ongoing ripple effects of continuing new cases.”

He stressed the urgency for the U.S. government to take action to curb the spread of HPAI, which has not only resulted in egg shortages and high prices but also poses a growing risk to poultry, livestock, and human health. “HPAI is about much more than eggs – it is about other poultry, livestock, and yes, our human population,” Wesner said.

Wesner also highlighted the need for swift action from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to control the mutating HPAI virus before it becomes more virulent or spreads easily between humans. He urged the USDA to act decisively, citing the significant losses and challenges that continue to grow daily. “The statistics on farms and birds lost to HPAI are alarming, and the crisis is even more severe than the numbers show,” Wesner said. “We are happy to provide up-to-the-minute numbers for any Senator who may be interested, but we want the Committee to understand that the situation is worsening.”

Wesner’s testimony called for increased government support to help the egg industry recover and mitigate the impact of HPAI. His remarks served as a powerful reminder of the critical role agriculture plays in the U.S. economy and the need for government intervention to address the ongoing challenges facing farmers and consumers alike.

Wesner also thanked Secretary Rollins, the Administration, and President Trump for the comprehensive plan to address the HPAI crisis that was announced earlier that day.

Click here to view the hearing recording and Wesner’s written testimony.