Stories of significance...
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service revises chronic wasting disease program standards
The U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is
revising its Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Program Standards to better meet the
needs of both animal health officials and the cervid industry.
The CWD Herd Certification
Program provides a national approach to control CWD in farmed cervids.
The program is a cooperative effort between APHIS, State animal health and
wildlife agencies, and farmed cervid owners. APHIS coordinates with State
agencies to encourage cervid owners to certify their herds and comply with the
CWD Herd Certification Program Standards to prevent the introduction and spread
of CWD.
The revisions cover a variety
of topics including:
- Adding guidelines for live animal testing in specific
situations (applies only to white-tailed deer).
- Clarifying how disease investigations should be handled, aligning
with the Code of Federal Regulations’ requirement for mortality testing.
- Simplifying
fencing requirements.
- Adding biosecurity recommendations.
- Describing the intended approach to update the CWD-susceptible species list.
APHIS also
outlines factors for determining indemnity and includes a table that outlines
possible reductions in herd certification status that States may consider for
herd owners that do not submit required mortality surveillance samples or
consistently submit unusable testing samples.
Click this link to view this notice in the Federal Register.
Members of the public will be able to view the evaluation and submit comments until April 30.
Invitation to participate in the Secure Pork Supply Plan
The Minnesota Board of Animal is preparing to participate in a multi-state functional exercise to prepare for the possibility of a widespread Foreign Animal Disease outbreak. The Board recently hired Dr. Dave Wright to assist producers and veterinarians in the participation process. He is available to walk you through the plan at no charge, and we encourage you to take advantage of his expertise.
From Dr. Dave Wright,
I
recently attended a Webinar reviewing a mock exercise to prepare us for a
multi-state Foreign Animal Disease outbreak. It became apparent that if this
should occur, participation in the Secure Pork Supply plan will no longer be
voluntary; it will be mandatory in order to obtain a permit to move pigs.
Details on the plan are available at www.securepork.org.
I
have met with several producers and systems to facilitate participation and
have outlined a step-by-step approach to make the process more manageable. The Board of Animal Health has hired me to assist in the participation process
at no charge to you, so I encourage you to take advantage of the free service.
Contact me at wright2me.dave@gmail.com
or 763-242-7535 to arrange a visit.
Dave
National Poultry Improvement Plan updates and upcoming meeting
The 44th
NPIP Biennial Conference will be held this summer in Franklin, Tennessee. The NPIP
General Conference Committee and Technical Committee (our BAH Senior
Veterinarian, Dr. Shauna Voss is a member) will be meeting on June 26, 2018,
with the general session on June 27 – 28.
The June 26 meetings will be open to the public; however, public
participation in discussions during the sessions will only be allowed if time
permits. Written statements may be filed at the meeting or filed with the
Committee before or after the meeting by contacting Dr. Denise Heard at
Denise.L.Heard@aphis.usda.gov.
At the General Session of the Biennial Conference, State Delegates
representing the poultry industry, will discuss and debate the adoption of Proposed
Changes to the NPIP Provisions and Program Standards. Some of the proposals that will be discussed include:
- Approval
of new diagnostic tests.
- Amending
Avian Influenza program requirements and test standards.
- Amending
Salmonella Classifications.
- Proposing
and revising new Sanitation standards for flockowners, hatcheries and
dealers.
- Proposing
new tests and classifications for Newcastle Disease.
A complete listing of the proposals to be considered can
be found on the NPIP website, www.poultryimprovement.org
APHIS is also proposing updates to its NPIP regulations, as voted on and
approved at the 2016 biennial conference. The changes would update and clarify
several provisions, including those concerning NPIP participation, voting
requirements, testing procedures, and standards. Full text of the updates
will be available after Federal Register publication.
Farmed Cervid Advisory Task Force first meeting set
The first meeting of the Board’s Farmed Cervid Advisory Task
Force has been set for 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. on May 2, 2018 at the Minnesota Turkey Grower’s
Association conference room at 108 Marty Drive, Buffalo, MN 55313.
Farmed Cervid Advisory Task Force Agenda
- Welcome and introductions
- Legislative update and OLA Audit Report
- Objective 1 – Exclusionary fencing guidelines
- Objective 2 – Farmed cervid business viability
- Wrap up and adjourn
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