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USDA expands compensation for bird flu cleanup
Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:13pm ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Poultry farmers who participate in a program to prevent the spread of diseases would be fully compensated for loss of birds and equipment if low-pathogenic strains of avian influenza are found, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Friday.
USDA said it expanded the National Poultry Improvement Program to cover commercial production flock, such as table-egg layers and meat-type chickens and turkeys. Until now, only breeder flocks were eligible.
The NPIP, a voluntary measure among federal and state governments and the poultry industry, was created in the 1930s to certify flocks as free of poultry diseases.
Under the expansion, participating producers would be reimbursed for 100 percent of their costs associated with the cleanup of low-pathogenic H5 and H7 subtypes.
Facilities that do not actively survey their flock as required by the program will have 25 percent of their eradication costs covered by USDA. In previous cases, compensation was handled by the states.
"This program expansion strengthens U.S. protections against poultry diseases such as avian influenza," said Ron DeHaven, administrator of USDA's Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service.
The interim rule will become effective on September 26 when it is published in the government's Federal Register. The public will have until November 27 to submit comment.
USDA eradicates the low-pathogenic H5 and H7 subtypes because they can mutate into the highly-pathogenic strain, which produces high disease and mortality in birds. Low-pathogenic bird flu does not pose a risk to humans.
USDA said expanding the program will ensure the department was complying with international standards and will minimize trade impact on U.S. poultry producers. In order to participate, commercial facilities and states must meet the following provisions:
--States must create a diagnostic surveillance program for all poultry. This surveillance will be administered by state agencies according to plans approved by APHIS.
--States must develop APHIS-approved response and containment plans that detail what actions will be taken in the event of an H5 and H7 low-pathogenic avian influenza outbreak.
--Industry must maintain active surveillance. This component also includes proactive testing at the flock level or at slaughter for commercial meat-type chickens and meat-type turkeys, and must be conducted according to plans detailed in the regulations.
? Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.
USDA expands compensation for bird flu cleanup
Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:13pm ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Poultry farmers who participate in a program to prevent the spread of diseases would be fully compensated for loss of birds and equipment if low-pathogenic strains of avian influenza are found, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Friday.
USDA said it expanded the National Poultry Improvement Program to cover commercial production flock, such as table-egg layers and meat-type chickens and turkeys. Until now, only breeder flocks were eligible.
The NPIP, a voluntary measure among federal and state governments and the poultry industry, was created in the 1930s to certify flocks as free of poultry diseases.
Under the expansion, participating producers would be reimbursed for 100 percent of their costs associated with the cleanup of low-pathogenic H5 and H7 subtypes.
Facilities that do not actively survey their flock as required by the program will have 25 percent of their eradication costs covered by USDA. In previous cases, compensation was handled by the states.
"This program expansion strengthens U.S. protections against poultry diseases such as avian influenza," said Ron DeHaven, administrator of USDA's Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service.
The interim rule will become effective on September 26 when it is published in the government's Federal Register. The public will have until November 27 to submit comment.
USDA eradicates the low-pathogenic H5 and H7 subtypes because they can mutate into the highly-pathogenic strain, which produces high disease and mortality in birds. Low-pathogenic bird flu does not pose a risk to humans.
USDA said expanding the program will ensure the department was complying with international standards and will minimize trade impact on U.S. poultry producers. In order to participate, commercial facilities and states must meet the following provisions:
--States must create a diagnostic surveillance program for all poultry. This surveillance will be administered by state agencies according to plans approved by APHIS.
--States must develop APHIS-approved response and containment plans that detail what actions will be taken in the event of an H5 and H7 low-pathogenic avian influenza outbreak.
--Industry must maintain active surveillance. This component also includes proactive testing at the flock level or at slaughter for commercial meat-type chickens and meat-type turkeys, and must be conducted according to plans detailed in the regulations.
? Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.