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Arizona - Avian influenza in poultry 2024-2025
- Thread starter Shiloh
- Start date
Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
How will Hickman's Farms dispose of 6 million dead chickens?
...
Author: Joe Dana, Kyle Simchuk
Published: 7:34 PM PDT June 5, 2025
Updated: 7:34 PM PDT June 5, 2025
TONOPAH, Ariz. —
...
"We've lost about 95 percent of the chickens we have in the state," Hickman said. "It will take about 2 years to completely repopulate our farms."
Before the repopulation process can begin, roughly 6 million chicken carcasses need to be disposed of and the buildings must be disinfected.
Drone footage captured by 12News showed excavators digging large trenches Monday near the chicken houses at the Tonopah facility, close to neighboring homes. Residents who rely on private wells and fear potential groundwater contamination from millions of decomposing birds.
...
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, improperly managed mass carcass disposal can pose serious risks by releasing biological fluids that may seep into groundwater or affect nearby livestock and wildlife.
State regulators have sent mixed messages about the disposal plans. On Wednesday evening, an Arizona Department of Agriculture spokesperson said the agency had "changed course," and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality stated that "no chickens will be buried on the property" and would instead go to a landfill.
However, on Thursday morning, the Department of Agriculture reversed its position, saying all birds in Tonopah will be buried on site.
...
https://www.12news.com/article/news...nopah/75-a6c3d42f-e4a4-49db-8966-e24fc2020752
...
Author: Joe Dana, Kyle Simchuk
Published: 7:34 PM PDT June 5, 2025
Updated: 7:34 PM PDT June 5, 2025
TONOPAH, Ariz. —
...
"We've lost about 95 percent of the chickens we have in the state," Hickman said. "It will take about 2 years to completely repopulate our farms."
Before the repopulation process can begin, roughly 6 million chicken carcasses need to be disposed of and the buildings must be disinfected.
Drone footage captured by 12News showed excavators digging large trenches Monday near the chicken houses at the Tonopah facility, close to neighboring homes. Residents who rely on private wells and fear potential groundwater contamination from millions of decomposing birds.
...
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, improperly managed mass carcass disposal can pose serious risks by releasing biological fluids that may seep into groundwater or affect nearby livestock and wildlife.
State regulators have sent mixed messages about the disposal plans. On Wednesday evening, an Arizona Department of Agriculture spokesperson said the agency had "changed course," and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality stated that "no chickens will be buried on the property" and would instead go to a landfill.
However, on Thursday morning, the Department of Agriculture reversed its position, saying all birds in Tonopah will be buried on site.
...
https://www.12news.com/article/news...nopah/75-a6c3d42f-e4a4-49db-8966-e24fc2020752
Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Related to post #21:
Fourth Maricopa County poultry facility tests positive for Avian Influenza; Containment and disposal measures underway
Poultry at a fourth commercial farm located in Maricopa County have tested positive for Avian Influenza. This facility, Maricopa 05, does not have any birds of egg producing age.
This detection was picked up through routine surveillance sampling within the control area on June 4, 2025 prior to any birds demonstrating clinical signs consistent with avian influenza. Samples from the location were submitted to the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (AZVDL) for preliminary determination, then submitted to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for confirmation, received on June 6.
Poultry at the Maricopa 05 facility are being rendered on site through a heat and activation process. The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) has engaged with the USDA, Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA), and Maricopa County Department of Public Health to ensure a quick and appropriate response to addressing this animal disease emergency.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk to the general public is considered to be low with those most at risk of exposure being individuals who are directly involved with the daily care of birds. Information regarding protective actions for workers and the monitoring of avian influenza can be found on the CDC’s website, which is updated regularly. ADEQ is working closely with facility owners and government partners to ensure that all chicken carcasses resulting from this incident are safely disposed of in accordance with applicable environmental laws.
Last week, carcasses were buried at a facility in Maricopa 02 as an interim measure while a multi-agency working group coordinates with the facility to develop a permanent solution. This approach was taken to minimize the risk of spread of infection.
There is no current threat to public health or groundwater from chicken carcasses buried in Maricopa 02. In addition, a removal operation has been fully mobilized in Maricopa 03 and Maricopa 04. Carcasses are being containerized and transported to a permitted landfill. Transport bins meet applicable USDA containment requirements and vehicles have been inspected to confirm adherence to Maricopa County Department of Transportation load restrictions.
Sick Bird Hotline: If you see signs of illness in your poultry, report them immediately to USDA at 1-866-536-7593. You can also contact your local cooperative extension office, local veterinarian, or your State Veterinarian. For wild bird illness, please contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department. www.agriculture.az.gov
Source
Arizona Department of Agriculture
June 6, 2025 - 05:10pm
https://ein.az.gov/fourth-maricopa-...tive-avian-influenza-containment-and-disposal
Fourth Maricopa County poultry facility tests positive for Avian Influenza; Containment and disposal measures underway
Poultry at a fourth commercial farm located in Maricopa County have tested positive for Avian Influenza. This facility, Maricopa 05, does not have any birds of egg producing age.
This detection was picked up through routine surveillance sampling within the control area on June 4, 2025 prior to any birds demonstrating clinical signs consistent with avian influenza. Samples from the location were submitted to the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (AZVDL) for preliminary determination, then submitted to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for confirmation, received on June 6.
Poultry at the Maricopa 05 facility are being rendered on site through a heat and activation process. The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) has engaged with the USDA, Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA), and Maricopa County Department of Public Health to ensure a quick and appropriate response to addressing this animal disease emergency.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk to the general public is considered to be low with those most at risk of exposure being individuals who are directly involved with the daily care of birds. Information regarding protective actions for workers and the monitoring of avian influenza can be found on the CDC’s website, which is updated regularly. ADEQ is working closely with facility owners and government partners to ensure that all chicken carcasses resulting from this incident are safely disposed of in accordance with applicable environmental laws.
Last week, carcasses were buried at a facility in Maricopa 02 as an interim measure while a multi-agency working group coordinates with the facility to develop a permanent solution. This approach was taken to minimize the risk of spread of infection.
There is no current threat to public health or groundwater from chicken carcasses buried in Maricopa 02. In addition, a removal operation has been fully mobilized in Maricopa 03 and Maricopa 04. Carcasses are being containerized and transported to a permitted landfill. Transport bins meet applicable USDA containment requirements and vehicles have been inspected to confirm adherence to Maricopa County Department of Transportation load restrictions.
Sick Bird Hotline: If you see signs of illness in your poultry, report them immediately to USDA at 1-866-536-7593. You can also contact your local cooperative extension office, local veterinarian, or your State Veterinarian. For wild bird illness, please contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department. www.agriculture.az.gov
Source
Arizona Department of Agriculture
June 6, 2025 - 05:10pm
https://ein.az.gov/fourth-maricopa-...tive-avian-influenza-containment-and-disposal
Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Commonground
Senior Moderator
Arizona Department of Agriculture
ARIZONA ADMINISTRATIVE RULE CHANGE
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY STANDARDS / CAGE FREE TRANSITION
December 12, 2025
Governor Katie Hobbs directed the Arizona Department of Agriculture to undertake rulemaking that
would delay implementation of Arizona’s cage free egg rule in response to Highly Pathogenic Avian
Influenza outbreaks, rising egg prices, and legal/political uncertainty.
The Arizona Department of Agriculture has completed the rulemaking and the rule change will be
posted to the administrative register on 12/26/25 with an effective date of 2/2/26.
WHAT HAS CHANGED
The Cage free implementation date is moved to January 1, 2032.
Through December 31, 2031 all eggs sold in this state produced by hens shall be from hens raised
according to the United Egg Producer’s (UEP) Animal Husbandry Guidelines. All eggs shall display the
“UEP Certified” logo on their cases, cartons, and containers, or the egg dealer shall annually provide
the Department with a copy of a current independent third-party audit that demonstrates that the eggs
were produced by hens raised according to UEP Animal Husbandry Guidelines.
Beginning no later than January 1, 2032, all egg-laying hens in this state shall be housed in a cage-
free manner.
Beginning no later than January 1, 2032, all eggs and egg products sold in this state shall be from
hens housed in a cage-free manner including eggs and egg products purchased outside of Arizona used
by a bakery or manufacturer in products produced that are offered for sale to retailers, wholesalers, or
consumers for human consumption within this state.
Beginning no later than January 1, 2032, in order to sell eggs or egg products within the state, a
business owner or operator must have a certificate from the Egg Program Supervisor certifying that the
eggs or egg products are produced in compliance with the cage free requirements.
The immediate container of eggs and egg products produced in a cage free system shall be plainly
and conspicuously marked with the words “Cage Free,” and/or “Organic” (if the eggs or egg products
are USDA Certified Organic) in bold-faced type not less than one-eighth inch in height; or in another
manner pre-approved in writing by the department.
The cage free requirement does not apply to egg producers or business owners or operators operating
or controlling the operation of one or more egg ranches each having fewer than 20,000 egg-laying
hens producing eggs.
For questions about the rule please email:
ARIZONA-CAGEFREE@AZDA.GOV
Or contact,
Roland S. Mader
Administrator Dairy / Egg programs
Arizona Department of Agriculture
1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450
Phoenix, AZ, 85007
Office: 602-542-0884
rmader@azda.gov
https://agriculture.az.gov/sites/default/files/2023 CAGE FREE WHITE PAPER 3.0.pdf
ARIZONA ADMINISTRATIVE RULE CHANGE
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY STANDARDS / CAGE FREE TRANSITION
December 12, 2025
Governor Katie Hobbs directed the Arizona Department of Agriculture to undertake rulemaking that
would delay implementation of Arizona’s cage free egg rule in response to Highly Pathogenic Avian
Influenza outbreaks, rising egg prices, and legal/political uncertainty.
The Arizona Department of Agriculture has completed the rulemaking and the rule change will be
posted to the administrative register on 12/26/25 with an effective date of 2/2/26.
WHAT HAS CHANGED
The Cage free implementation date is moved to January 1, 2032.
Through December 31, 2031 all eggs sold in this state produced by hens shall be from hens raised
according to the United Egg Producer’s (UEP) Animal Husbandry Guidelines. All eggs shall display the
“UEP Certified” logo on their cases, cartons, and containers, or the egg dealer shall annually provide
the Department with a copy of a current independent third-party audit that demonstrates that the eggs
were produced by hens raised according to UEP Animal Husbandry Guidelines.
Beginning no later than January 1, 2032, all egg-laying hens in this state shall be housed in a cage-
free manner.
Beginning no later than January 1, 2032, all eggs and egg products sold in this state shall be from
hens housed in a cage-free manner including eggs and egg products purchased outside of Arizona used
by a bakery or manufacturer in products produced that are offered for sale to retailers, wholesalers, or
consumers for human consumption within this state.
Beginning no later than January 1, 2032, in order to sell eggs or egg products within the state, a
business owner or operator must have a certificate from the Egg Program Supervisor certifying that the
eggs or egg products are produced in compliance with the cage free requirements.
The immediate container of eggs and egg products produced in a cage free system shall be plainly
and conspicuously marked with the words “Cage Free,” and/or “Organic” (if the eggs or egg products
are USDA Certified Organic) in bold-faced type not less than one-eighth inch in height; or in another
manner pre-approved in writing by the department.
The cage free requirement does not apply to egg producers or business owners or operators operating
or controlling the operation of one or more egg ranches each having fewer than 20,000 egg-laying
hens producing eggs.
For questions about the rule please email:
ARIZONA-CAGEFREE@AZDA.GOV
Or contact,
Roland S. Mader
Administrator Dairy / Egg programs
Arizona Department of Agriculture
1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450
Phoenix, AZ, 85007
Office: 602-542-0884
rmader@azda.gov
https://agriculture.az.gov/sites/default/files/2023 CAGE FREE WHITE PAPER 3.0.pdf