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Concerned that a deadly strain of avian influenza will hit North America soon, the United States is expanding the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP).

NPIP is a voluntary program among federal and state governments and the poultry industry and is designed to prevent the spread of diseases in commercial poultry operations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said last month that it was expanding NPIP to cover commercial production poultry flocks, specifically table-egg layers, meat-type chickens and meat-type turkeys. Previously, only breeder flocks were eligible. The interim rule went into effect Sept. 26.

"At first glance it appears that a number of the comments that OFBF previously filed are contained in the interim rule, but we plan to further review," said David White, Ohio Farm Bureau’s senior director of policy research and development.

Under the rule, farmers who participate in the NPIP program will be fully compensated for loss of birds if low-pathogenic H5 and H7 strains of avian influenza are ever found. Those who don’t participate in the program will receive 25 percent compensation. In the past, state governments handled compensation.

Low-pathogenic strains of avian influenza occur naturally in wild birds and usually cause minor sickness for birds. While the low-pathogenic strains pose no risk to human health, the USDA is trying to eradicate H5 and H7 subtypes because of their potential to mutate into highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has a high mortality rate among birds.

The highly pathogenic H5N1 virus, also known as the bird flu, has been found in Africa, Asia and Europe and has killed 148 people since 2003, according to the World Health Organization. Most of the human cases have happened because humans had direct contact with poultry. Scientists fear that the virus could mutate and be transmitted among humans, causing a pandemic.

In order to participate in the program, commercial poultry facilities and states must meet these provisions:

• States must create a diagnostic surveillance program for all poultry. The surveillance will be administered by state agencies according to plans approved by USDA’s Animal and Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
• States must develop APHIS-approved response and containment plans that detail what actions will be taken in the event of an H5 or H7 low-pathogenic avian influenza outbreak.
• Industry must maintain active surveillance, which requires testing birds and eggs intended for use as breeding poultry and commercial table-egg layers. Proactive testing is required at the flock level or at slaughter for commercial meat-type chickens and meat-type turkeys.

USDA said it will accept comments from the public until Nov. 27 on the rule. Ohio Farm Bureau plans to submit comments, said Adam Sharp, OFBF’s senior director of national affairs.

"OFBF will be consulting with the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio Poultry Association so we better understand the impact this rule will have on current ODA programs," Sharp said.