Tom Vilsack Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Official Website
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications starting on Monday, July 1 through its updated Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP). This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to eligible dairy producers who incur milk losses due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) infection in their dairy herds. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) expanded ELAP through the rule-making process to assist with a portion of financial losses resulting from reduced milk production when cattle are removed from commercial milking in dairy herds having a confirmed positive H5N1 test. Positive test results must be confirmed through the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).
“USDA remains committed to working with producers, state veterinarians, animal health professionals, and our federal partners as we continue to detect the presence of H5N1 in dairy herds and take additional measures to contain the spread of the disease,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “When something unexpected, like H5N1, threatens the economic viability of the producers we serve, we are committed to finding ways, where we have the authority to do so, to revisit existing program policies and provide the financial support needed to help producers recover and sustain production.”
ELAP provides emergency relief to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, adverse weather, or other conditions not covered by other FSA disaster assistance programs.
H5N1 infections have been detected in 12 states including Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. Dairy producers nationwide are reminded to stay vigilant and follow established APHIS biosecurity guidelines. Enhanced biosecurity is critical for containing this virus. USDA works closely with state animal health officials and industry organizations to provide guidance and resources for cleaning and disinfection on affected farms.
Eligible adult dairy cattle must meet specific criteria: they must be part of a herd with a confirmed positive H5N1 test from NVSL; initially removed from commercial milk production during a specified time frame; currently lactating; and maintained for commercial milk production.
To apply for ELAP assistance, producers need proof of herd infection via a confirmed positive H5N1 test from NVSL; a notice of loss indicating when the loss became apparent; and an application certifying details about eligible cows removed from production. The final date for filing a notice of loss is January 30.
Payments under ELAP will be determined based on an expected 21-day period without milk production per cow followed by seven days at reduced production levels. Payments are calculated using a formula involving per head payment rates based on national statistics.
For more information on applying for ELAP assistance or details about updated policies related to milk loss due to H5N1 infection in dairy herds can be found in the Federal Register on July 1.
USDA continues collaborating with various agencies including FDA and CDC as well as state veterinary officials regarding H5N1 among cattle while APHIS provides confirmatory testing for livestock samples.
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