By Jamie Martin
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced a significant new directive aimed at combating avian influenza in dairy cattle through a rigorous raw milk testing regimen. This initiative is not just about disease control but also about protecting and enhancing U.S. trade relations.
The strategy unfolds through a structured five-stage testing protocol and response system, set to be fully operational within two months.
The initial phase involves mandatory testing at national plants and silos, progressing to evaluations that determine a state’s overall health status concerning avian influenza in dairy cattle.
As the system advances, the focus will shift to detecting and responding to the disease at the state level. The fourth stage involves demonstrating the ongoing absence of the virus within the dairy herds, with the final goal being the complete freedom from avian influenza across all states.
This structured approach is designed to eradicate the disease on a herd-by-herd basis, implementing regional protocols that include the development and integration of vaccines. The overarching aim is to systematically eliminate avian influenza in dairy cattle, thus ensuring the safety of dairy products and the health of the cattle, while maintaining the integrity of U.S. agricultural trade.
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Categories: National