• Federal Register Posts
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• 2018

USDA Updates National Poultry Improvement Plan Program Standards

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is updating the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) Program Standards to finalize provisions for compartmentalization of primary breeding poultry establishments to protect against disease.  Compartmentalization is defining a specific group of animals that are maintained under strict biosecurity and health standards, and therefore have a distinct health status.   The compartment includes all components of management such as farms, feedmills, hatcheries and egg depots, ensuring that these subgroups are managed using the same consistent, strict biosecurity and health practices, and are kept separate from other animal populations. These NPIP provisions also include the auditing system APHIS will use to evaluate them. APHIS’ NPIP updates are consistent with World Organization for Animal Health recommendations and assure trading partners that there is a minimal risk of the compartmentalized animals spreading disease in the event of an outbreak.  Specifically, the updates will help the United States maintain its export markets in the event of a disease outbreak. 

APHIS published a Federal Register notice in July 2016 notifying the public of the intended updates. During the 30 day comment period, APHIS received six comments and all were in favor of these changes. The NPIP is a cooperative Federal-State-industry program for controlling certain poultry diseases. The document can be viewed here.