Category Archives: USDA

The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Swine Study, originally scheduled to begin this summer, has been postponed to 2021.

The Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) recently added Draft Document 638 – VS Memorandum: Guidelines for Autogenous Biologics, to its website for a 3-week comment period. The CVB will consider all comments received by June 8, 2020 before finalizing the guidance document. The purpose of this memorandum is to describe the procedures and guidelines for interpretation of the requirements for autogenous biologics under the provisions of title 9, Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR), sections 113.113, 113.3(b)(8), and the administrative terminology in section 101.2. [Source: USDA APHIS 21 May 2020]

Today, USDA formally unveiled details of its Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides direct payments to farmers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The program includes $3 billion in planned agricultural product purchases and $1.6 billion in direct payments to hog farmers. [Source: NPPC 19 May 2020]

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue last night sent the following two letters to Governors across the nation and leadership of major meat processing companies. These letters establish the USDA’s clear expectations for the implementation of President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order signed last week. The President’s Executive order directs plants to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance specific to the meat processing industry to keep these critical facilities open while maintaining worker safety. [Source: USDA 6 May 2020]

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is conducting its biennial review of the select agents and toxins registration list. [Source: USDA 16 March 2020]

American livestock and poultry producers are facing an unprecedented emergency due to COVID-19, particularly with the closing of meat processing plants in several states. USDA is leading the federal response by working in coordination with the Vice President’s Task Force, the CDC, OSHA, Department of Labor, industry, state and local governments, and others across the federal family to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on producers. We will continue to seek solutions to ensure the continuity of operations and return to production as quickly, safely and as health considerations allow at these critical facilities. [Source: USDA 24 April 2020]

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing a new National List of Reportable Animal Diseases (NLRAD) to further strengthen the country’s ability to detect, respond to and control animal diseases. The new list will provide a consolidated, comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure Federal and State animal health officials quickly receive information about potential cases of communicable animal diseases. This helps ensure that serious diseases are reported earlier, which can help speed our response time and lessen the overall impact on producers and the economy. [Source: USDA 1 April 2020]

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is conducting its biennial review of the select agents and toxins registration list. [Source: USDA 16 March 2020]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is ensuring the safety and timely delivery of the U.S. food supply while protecting the health of USDA employees during this COVID-19 National Emergency. Yesterday, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears sent a letter to stakeholders reassuring them that APHIS, AMS, and FSIS are rising to meet the challenges associated with COVID-19. [Source: USDA 17 March 2020]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Greg Ibach today announced additional measures to control and eradicate African Swine Fever (ASF) if the virus is ever detected in the U.S. [Source: USDA 6 March 2020]