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State and federal officials outline biosecurity incentive programs and milk‑testing surveillance for HPAI
Summary
USDA and Texas agency staff described three federal biosecurity programs for poultry producers and reported no positive milk silo detections to date; they also reviewed HPAI cases in livestock and ongoing surveillance.
USDA and Texas Animal Health Commission staff updated commissioners on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) surveillance, biosecurity programs and the state’s milk‑testing initiative.
Why it matters: HPAI remains a major animal‑health threat for poultry and, through spillover, for livestock. The commission and USDA are promoting producer biosecurity and targeted surveillance to prevent introduction and enable movement for business continuity when possible.
USDA described a five‑part national avian flu strategy; commission presenters detailed three biosecurity programs now available to poultry premises:
- A mandatory Biosecurity Compliance Audit Program (BCAP) for premises in affected zones that seek indemnity when repopulating; auditors verify on‑site protections. - A voluntary Biosecurity Incentive‑Focused Assessment (BIFA) program that pairs federal assessors and company officials to identify deficiencies; cost‑sharing is available (staff described up to 75% cost‑share and cited a $25,000 per‑premise cap used in USDA materials). - Wildlife‑focused biosecurity assessments conducted by USDA Wildlife Services to mitigate introduction risks from wild birds.
USDA said BIFA applications were already being processed for Texas premises and emphasized that audits are free and the cost‑sharing helps producers retrofit biosecurity measures.
On milk surveillance, the commission reported it has begun the national bulk‑milk (silo) testing program for pasteurized milk as part of voluntary herd monitoring. Staff said 202 eligible silos at 44 processing plants exist in Texas, that DSHS had sampled 76 silos to date and that no positive results had been reported to the commission as of the reporting period.
Commission presenters reviewed the HPAI livestock picture: since March 20, 2024, 1,032 confirmed livestock cases have been reported across 17 states; Texas reported 27 confirmed cases through April and had no new livestock detections in the 30 days prior to the meeting.
Staff emphasized outreach, free audits and cost‑share options as tools to keep production moving while reducing risk. They also noted continued readiness for seasonal increases in detections and that fall migration could increase HPAI activity.
Ending: USDA and commission staff said they would continue outreach and monitoring, encourage voluntary participation in the assessment and cost‑share programs and update commissioners on any new detections or changes to the national strategy.
