By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveils initiatives to safeguard livestock health, including the introduction of a Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program.
This program aims to provide dairy producers with alternative testing and movement options to enhance herd monitoring and mitigate disease spread.
Emergency funding of $824 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is allocated to support response efforts, enabling the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to conduct critical rapid response activities and diagnostics.
Additionally, the pilot program seeks to expand USDA's understanding of the disease while granting dairy producers greater flexibility in managing their herds.
Under the pilot program, dairy producers can enroll their herds and conduct weekly tests on bulk milk samples to confirm H5N1-free status. Producers testing negative for three consecutive weeks can move animals without additional pre-movement testing currently required under federal regulations.
APHIS collaborates with state animal health officials to identify states participating in the pilot phase of the program. Producers from these states can enroll in the program by contacting their APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge or State Veterinarian.
The USDA urges dairy producers to enroll in the pilot program to benefit from increased monitoring capabilities and potential establishment of state or regional disease-free statuses. Those not enrolled will continue to follow existing interstate testing and movement requirements.
This initiative complements previous efforts, including the Federal Order on pre-movement testing of lactating dairy cattle and support for biosecurity activities.
As USDA continues to address livestock health, collaboration with federal partners remains essential to ensure the safety of both animals and the food supply.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National