WASHINGTON, May 30, 2024 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced additional measures to safeguard the health and viability of the nation’s livestock and poultry. Following the initial detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle two months ago, USDA has collaborated with federal and state partners to understand and contain the virus. As part of these efforts, USDA is allocating an additional $824 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for emergency funding and launching a Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program.
To support rapid response activities, Secretary Vilsack approved transferring $824 million from the CCC to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This funding will enable APHIS to continue working with state and local partners to identify and address cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)/H5N1 in poultry and livestock. The funds will cover diagnostics, field response activities, pre-movement testing requirements, surveillance in wildlife, vaccine development by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and food safety studies by ARS and the Food Safety and Inspection Service.
The Secretary has authorization to transfer funding from available resources such as the CCC to manage emergency outbreaks of animal and plant pests and diseases. Previously, USDA approved $1.3 billion in emergency funding for nationwide HPAI detections in wild birds and commercial poultry operations.
In addition to these measures, APHIS is initiating a Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program. This program offers alternative testing and movement options to increase monitoring capabilities for mitigating H5N1 spread. The pilot aims to provide additional testing options for producers whose herds have tested negative for three consecutive weeks. Participating producers can conduct weekly tests on bulk milk samples from their herds at a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) facility.
Dairy producers in states participating in this pilot can enroll starting June 3, 2024. They must contact their APHIS Area Veterinarian or State Veterinarian to sign a Herd Monitoring Plan agreement. USDA encourages participation as it may help establish state or regional disease-free statuses that could ease compliance with current Federal Orders.
Non-enrolled herds will continue following interstate testing requirements under Federal Order guidelines. Detailed guidance on enrollment will be available on the APHIS website soon.
USDA anticipates increased testing measures will enhance understanding of disease spread between herds while helping document virus elimination steps for affected producers.
This investment complements previous announcements regarding pre-movement testing requirements, biosecurity tools support, and Emergency Assistance for Livestock funding availability.
USDA continues collaborating with federal partners at CDC on public health protection measures related to this outbreak while ensuring food supply safety with FDA collaboration.
For more information on USDA’s response to H5N1 in dairy cattle, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock.
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