The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working urgently to reinstate key employees who were mistakenly dismissed as part of a federal workforce reduction effort. These employees played a crucial role in managing the ongoing avian influenza outbreak, which has led to the culling of over 160 million birds since 2022. The layoffs, part of a government efficiency initiative, have raised concerns among lawmakers and industry experts, as the outbreak continues to drive up egg prices and threaten poultry farmers nationwide.