Conference committee recently changed NPIP program standards to keep in line with the latest poultry science, technology and best practices.

April 11, 2019

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said April 11 it is seeking public comment on certain proposed revisions to the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), a cooperative federal/state/industry mechanism for controlling certain poultry diseases.

APHIS said the NPIP General Conference Committee recently made changes to NPIP program standards to keep them in line with the latest science, technology and best practices.

USDA is now publishing these proposed changes to the program standards for public review and comment. View more information here.

According to the Federal Register document, the proposed updates would amend the standards by:

  • Adding and amending definitions of H5/H7 low-pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) (exposed) and H5/H7 LPAI (infected);

  • Clarifying and amending the testing protocol for mycoplasma;

  • Allowing the use of molecular-based examination procedures to screen for mycoplasma;

  • Removing specific agar gel immunodiffusion avian influenza testing procedures with directions to use the current National Veterinary Services Laboratories protocol;

  • Amending and clarifying salmonella isolation procedures;

  • Updating and clarifying bacteriological examination procedures for cull chicks and poults for salmonella;

  • Adding a new salmonella diagnostic test kit;

  • Removing outdated testing procedures for the sanitation monitored program;

  • Updating and clarifying hatching egg and hatchery sanitation requirements;

  • Updating and clarifying flock sanitation procedures;

  • Updating and clarifying cleaning and disinfecting procedures;

  • Adding new dealer sanitation requirements;

  • Updating and clarifying compartmentalization language as well as amending and clarifying audit guidelines and checklists, and

  • Adding Newcastle disease virus compartmentalization physical requirements for an egg depot receiving/shipping dock.

APHIS will consider all comments received on or before May 13, 2019.

Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods:

  • Postal mail/commercial delivery -- Send comments to: Docket No. APHIS-2018-0061, Regulatory Analysis & Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

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