USDA Announces Biosecurity Assessments and Audits to Support Avian Influenza Prevention

[Commonground]

Press Release​



WASHINGTON, March 19 – Following U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ recent announcement of emergency funding to combat avian flu and reduce egg prices, USDA is announcing the expansion of biosecurity assessments and audits available to commercial poultry producers. These programs are part of the proactive measures taken to improve biosecurity on individual premises and prevent introduction or spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to directly support America’s farmers and ranchers.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will lead the following assessment programs, available to all commercial poultry producers not affected by HPAI:

• Wildlife Biosecurity Assessments – APHIS Wildlife Services will conduct on-farm assessments at facilities and provide recommendations to producers for facility repairs and wildlife management techniques. The assessments include a series of regular engagements including wildlife hazard identification surveys, wildlife abundance surveys, and wildlife management on these premises.
• Biosecurity Incentives-Focused Assessments – APHIS Veterinary Services will work with producers to review biosecurity plans and physical measures. This is a proactive resource for premises that are outside of HPAI control areas to identify and mitigate potential biosecurity gaps to prevent disease introduction.

Additionally, as outlined in the December 2024 Interim Final Rule, commercial poultry premises that have been confirmed positive for HPAI must pass an Infected Premises Restock Biosecurity Audit prior to restocking if they wish to be eligible for indemnity for the restocked poultry. The interim final rule also requires commercial poultry premises moving poultry into a designated buffer zone to pass a USDA Buffer Zone Placement Biosecurity Audit to be eligible for federal indemnity for any birds that moved onto the premises.

USDA will share up to 75% of the costs to fix the highest risk biosecurity concerns identified by the assessments.

While the biosecurity assessments are available to all commercial poultry producers not impacted by HPAI, APHIS will prioritize assessments at commercial egg-laying facilities in the highest egg-producing states as part of our commitment to help lower egg prices for the American consumer.

APHIS is offering a webinar to assist producers in learning more about the assessments and how to request them:

• USDA Biosecurity Assessments Webinar
  Thursday, March 20 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT
  Click Here for Information and to Register for the Webinar

More information about these programs is available in this factsheet www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/hpai-biosecurity-assessments-poultry.pdf. (911.22 KB)

This effort is part of Secretary Rollins’ 5-prong strategy to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza and provide farmers much needed relief and American consumers with affordable food.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/age...ty-assessments-audits-support-avian-influenza