Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.”
Highly pathogenic avian flu has not been detected in the U.S. since last June, and that bit of encouraging news has led the NCDA&CS to make some changes in its precautions.
Because the virus is not currently in the U.S., the department on Jan. 7 lifted the ban on poultry shows, live-bird auctions and similar sales that had been in place since mid-August. The department will reinstate the ban if the national situation changes.
Commissioner Troxler says the registration requirement for small-flock owners also has been lifted. This requirement was set up to help the department alert poultry owners if there was an outbreak, especially small flocks close to a positive farm. Poultry owners can still voluntarily register to receive updates in case of an outbreak.
Poultry farms and small-flock owners are encouraged to keep practicing strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks. One of the lessons of the outbreak in the Midwest is that strong biosecurity on the farm makes a difference.
NCDA&CS staff will continue to work with the industry, bird owners and other state and federal agencies to keep a close watch for high-path avian flu and to respond if necessary. The department has cross-trained about 150 personnel to respond if high-path avian flu does show up in the state. Equipment and supplies also have been purchased.
Click on the audio player below to hear Commissioner Troxler and Rhonda talk about precautions for avian flu, and for more information on the topic, click here.
[Audio:/wp-content/uploads/Troxler_1-12-16.mp3|titles=Today’s Topic for Jan. 12]
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