Responsible Iowa farmers, who take great pride in the integrity of the food they grow, have been greatly troubled by the recall of more than 500 million eggs that came from Wright County Egg Farms. Farmers and consumers alike have been concerned by the reports of the conditions inside the facilities where the recalled eggs were produced.
Following this recall a comprehensive investigation has been initiated.
The U.S. Food and Drug (FDA) is responsible for the safety of foods in general, including whole shell eggs. Federal oversight is necessary to ensure rules and regulations remain consistent across state lines. As part of this responsibility, the FDA is tasked with preventing the spread of diseases, such as salmonella.
The investigation is ongoing, but a preliminary report shows that Wright County Egg was not following normal industry standards. FDA found violations such as overflowing manure storage facilities, poultry and wildlife co-mingling, flies and maggots in hen houses and flies on eggs. The full report can be found on FDA’s website at www.fda.gov.
These violations indicate a serious management problem at that particular facility, and as a farmer, I am offended by the nature of the reported violations. But, it is important to remember that this is an isolated management problem, not an industry norm.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit numerous farms as Secretary of Agriculture and I can report that Iowa farmers are among the most caring, hard-working and responsible farmers in the country. They have to be, they grow and raise the food that helps feed the world.
The Des Moines Register recently published an interview with Hongwei Xin, a specialist in poultry housing at Iowa State University, who said that the conditions found at Wright County Egg are not consistent with the operations on the more than 50 egg farms he has visited across Iowa.
The facts show that salmonella does not discriminate based on size or method of farming. Farmers who follow the rules and have implemented best management practices, regardless of their size, have turned Iowa into the national leader in egg production.
Over the last ten years Iowa farmers have been able to safely deliver 100 billion eggs to customers around the world because they care deeply about the health of their animals and the wholesomeness of their products.
What’s important now is how we can prevent this type of outbreak from happening anywhere, ever again. The FDA is now stepping up their inspections of egg production facilities to ensure best management practices are being followed.
Given all of this, it is very worrisome that some activists are attempting to take advantage of this recall. Rather than trying to make food safer, they are trying to advance their agenda.
It is vital we learn from this situation, punish those responsible and continue to build on our efforts to improve food safety. Farmers, their families and everyone else who enjoys a hearty “eggs and bacon” breakfast expect nothing less.
Bill Northey is serving his first term as Secretary of Agriculture. Northey is a fourth-generation corn and soybean farmer from Spirit Lake, Iowa. His priorities as Secretary of Agriculture are expanding opportunities in renewable energy, encouraging conservation and stewardship, and telling the story of Iowa agriculture. To learn more visit www.IowaAgriculture.gov.
