WASHINGTON, May 23, 2024 -- Since the detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in March, the USDA has worked to assess the prevalence of the virus in U.S. dairy herds and to use scientific data to contain the disease. On May 10, USDA announced several financial assistance options for producers with affected herds.
Today, USDA is expanding these support options to include dairy producers whose herds have not tested positive for H5N1. The expansion follows feedback from state partners and industry stakeholders and builds on the Federal Order addressing pre-movement testing by providing additional tools to keep herds and workers healthy and reduce the risk of virus spread. These financial tools include:
- Support biosecurity planning and implementation: USDA will provide up to $1,500 per premises for producers to develop and implement a biosecurity plan based on existing secure milk supply plans. This includes enhanced biosecurity for individuals frequently moving between dairy farms such as milk haulers, veterinarians, feed trucks, AI technicians, etc. Additionally, USDA will offer a $100 payment to producers who purchase and use an in-line sampler for their milk system.
- Reimburse veterinary costs associated with sample collection for H5N1 testing: USDA will cover fees for veterinarians collecting samples for H5N1 testing from April 29, 2024 (the date the Federal Order went into effect), up to $2,000 per premises.
- Offset shipping costs for influenza A testing at laboratories in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN): USDA will pay shipping costs not exceeding $50 per shipment for up to two shipments per month per premises. No-cost testing at NAHLN laboratories is already provided for samples associated with this event.
Producers interested in these supports should contact the APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge (AVIC) to enroll.
For producers with H5N1 affected herds, USDA is detailing compensation plans for loss of milk production due to illness.
- Compensate producers for loss of milk production: Funding from the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) will be available soon through a forthcoming rule. This rule will compensate eligible producers with positive herds experiencing loss of milk production at 90 percent of lost production per cow retroactive to when their herd status was confirmed positive starting from March 2024.
The U.S. government is addressing this situation urgently through a whole-of-government approach. The USDA collaborates closely with federal partners at FDA and CDC on pasteurization testing and public health assessments respectively.
To learn more about USDA’s response to H5N1 in dairy cattle, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock.
