On February 13, 2025, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed by whole genome sequence a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype D1.1 in dairy cattle in Arizona. This confirmation was a result of State tracing and investigation, following an initial detection […]
Category Archives: USDA
Protect Pigs? Snap a Pic for Your Chance to Win
Submit a photo that shows you and your swine following biosecurity best practices for a chance to be featured on [USDA’s] site and socials! Enter the “I Protect Pigs” photo contest to show how you keep your farm free of African swine fever. Submissions accepted until February 14 at midnight (EDT). These are all picture-perfect ways to safeguard your […]
APHIS Announces Proposed Rule to Establish U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan as a Federal Regulatory Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is requesting public comments on a proposal to establish an official program for safeguarding, improving, and representing the health status of U.S. pigs. Since 2020, APHIS, in cooperation with industry, has piloted the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP) aimed at certifying […]
APHIS Releases 2024 Impact Report
Each year, we have the honor of sharing the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services’ (APHIS) achievements through our Impact Report. Despite facing many challenges, including the continued response to highly pathogenic avian influenza, APHIS ensured that our mission to protect the health and value of America’s agricultural and natural resources continued. Our work […]
NPPC Welcomes Line Speeds Study Results, Encourages FSIS to Make Program Permanent
In a win for efficiency in feeding a growing population and alleviating supply issues, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) celebrated the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) decision to extend the New Swine Inspection System (NSIS) increased line speed trials through May 15, 2025. “Pork producers appreciate USDA’s thoughtful and […]
U.S. Government Releases First National One Health Plan to Protect People, Animals, and Our Environment from Shared Health Threats
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of the Interior (DOI) today released the first-ever National One Health Framework to Address Zoonotic Diseases and Advance Public Health Preparedness in the United States. One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach that seeks to improve the […]
APHIS Announces Updates to Indemnity Program for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza on Poultry Farms
As part of its ongoing efforts to stop the further spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and give farmers tools to help combat the disease, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is today announcing an interim final rule that updates the conditions for poultry facilities to receive indemnity […]
APHIS Announces Proposed Rule to Establish U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan as a Federal Regulatory Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is requesting public comments on a proposal to establish an official program for safeguarding, improving, and representing the health status of U.S. pigs. Since 2020, APHIS, in cooperation with industry, has piloted the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP) aimed at certifying […]
APHIS Updates Select Agents and Toxins Registration List; Removes Agents Including Brucella
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) completed its biennial review of the Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) list. As a result of this review, APHIS is removing five select agents from the BSAT list. These include: Brucella abortus, Brucella suis, and Brucella melitensis, African horse sickness virus, and Peronosclerospora philippinensis. […]
USDA Approves Emergency Funding to Protect U.S. Livestock and Animals from New World Screwworm
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing $165 million in emergency funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation to protect U.S. livestock and other animals from New World screwworm (NWS) and to increase USDA’s ongoing efforts to control the spread of NWS in Mexico and Central America. NWS […]