Sen. Chuck Schumer is renewing his push for lower egg prices in New York.
© Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images + © Courtney Hergesheimer/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Rochester, NY) – Amid the onset of bird flu, and the euthanizing of bird flocks as a result of outbreaks, egg prices are on the rise. New York’s senior Senator — the Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer — wants to do something about that. He was in Rochester, New York on Monday — and issued a pledge to do what he can to keep egg prices down.
Bird flu has already made an impact in the Empire State — recently putting a duck farm out of business on Long Island after flocks had to be culled. Over 60 people have been infected with bird flu, and a man in Louisiana died — but human to human transmission hasn’t been reported.
Schumer says he intends to work with Democrats and Republicans in a bid to get the bird flu crisis under control — and in order to secure more federal funding for New York. Inflation dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic — and farm disruptions amid outbreaks of coronavirus — have already led to elevated food prices.
Health officials say there is no risk to humans in terms of bird flu provided that eggs and poultry products are properly cooked. There has been risk tied to raw milk products — and cats have been sickened by some pet food. Egg prices have increased nationwide by 38-percent in the last year. When the virus is detected, whole flocks needs to be put down.
