The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding biosecurity assessments and audits available to commercial poultry producers, prioritizing assessments at egg-laying facilities in the biggest egg-producing states. This includes Iowa, which is the nation’s top egg producer. 

The assessments are available to all facilities that haven’t experienced a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak. 

“These programs are part of the proactive measures taken to improve biosecurity on individual premises and prevent introduction or spread of (HPAI) to directly support America’s farmers and ranchers,” the agency said in a statement.

Once an on-site...