Government launches Avian Influenza testing in dairy

New federal testing to secure dairy health and trade

In a move to bolster the health of dairy cattle and secure agricultural trade, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has unveiled a new federal directive for testing raw milk for avian influenza.

This comprehensive testing protocol aims to address and ultimately eradicate the presence of avian influenza within dairy herds across the nation.

The newly introduced system consists of five stages, starting with immediate testing requirements at national dairy processing plants and silos.

This will escalate to a broader assessment of avian influenza status in dairy cattle at the state level, with subsequent stages focused on response and eradication measures.

The protocol will gradually demonstrate the absence of the disease through continued negative testing results, eventually confirming the state’s status as free from avian influenza.

This process is essential for reinstating confidence in the health of the national dairy herd and by extension, securing the U.S. position in global agricultural trade.

The implementation of this protocol will take a regional approach, targeting eradication efforts from one herd to another and integrating newly developed vaccines into the strategy. This initiative represents a crucial step towards ensuring the long-term health and viability of the U.S. dairy industry and its products on the international stage.