The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is updating its National Poultry Improvement Plan program standards to include the processes and procedures for the poultry primary breeding industry to participate in a compartmentalization program for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Compartmentalization allows a country to define and manage animal groups with a distinct health status and common biosecurity program, following World Organization for Animal Health guidelines. The updated standards will take effect on February 13, 2017. After the program is fully implemented, and if accepted by our international trading partners, compartmentalization will help us maintain our markets for poultry genetics (day-old chicks and hatching eggs) in the face of an HPAI outbreak. On display for publication in the Federal Register is a Notice of Intent to re-establish the NPIP General Conference Committee. You can view that notice here.
From: National Poultry Improvement Plan
The National Poultry Improvement Plan was established in the early 1930’s to provide a cooperative industry, state, and federal program through which new diagnostic technology can be effectively applied to the improvement of poultry and poultry products throughout the country. The development of the NPIP was initiated to eliminate Pullorum Disease caused by Salmonella pullorum which was rampant in poultry and could cause upwards of 80% mortality in baby poultry. The program was later extended and refined to include testing and monitoring for Salmonella typhoid, Salmonella enteritidis, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, Mycoplasma meleagridis, and Avian Influenza. In addition, the NPIP currently includes commercial poultry, turkeys, waterfowl, exhibition poultry, backyard poultry, and game birds. The technical and management provisions of the NPIP have been developed jointly by Industry members and State and Federal officials. These criteria have established standards for the evaluation of poultry with respect to freedom from NPIP diseases.
APHIS’ mission is to safeguard the health of our nation’s agricultural resources. Our many animal health experts work closely with other federal agencies, states, foreign governments, industry and professional groups, and others to enhance international trade and cooperation while preventing the introduction of dangerous and costly pests and diseases.