1. National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Government Affairs Animal Agriculture Subcommittee
Dr. John R. Clifford
Deputy Administrator
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Veterinary Services
February 10, 2016

2. 2016 Confirmed HPAI Detection
APHIS confirmed H7N8 HPAI in a turkey flock in Indiana on January 15, 2016
First commercial detection since June 2015
First H7N8 HPAI in any species

3. LPAI Cases
Nine LPAI cases in the surveillance area without clinical signs
All cases depopulated as quickly as possible
No other positives as of January 21

4. 2015 Outbreak 232 premises: 211 commercial and 21 backyard
Approximately 50 million birds culled
Over $800 million for response and indemnity
Economy-wide impact of $3.3 billion as of July 2015

5. 2015 HPAI Statistics 15 States with findings in poultry
109 commercial flocks in Minnesota
71 commercial flocks in Iowa
Far greater impact than previous AI cases
This slide shows the distribution of the recent outbreak by State. This includes both commercial and backyard detections in Arkansas, California, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
Producers in Iowa and Minnesota were hit especially hard.
To provide some perspective, past serious outbreaks of avian diseases here in the United States have been on a much smaller scale both in regard to the number of birds depopulated and States affected.
During the highly pathogenic H5N2 outbreak - 17 million chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl in Pennsylvania and Virginia were culled to contain and eradicate the disease.
During the Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) outbreak –nearly 4.5 million birds were culled in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas.
In 2002, a low pathogenic H7N2 avian influenza outbreak in Virginia resulted in the depopulation of 4 million birds.

6. HPAI Planning: Depopulation
The Animal Health Protection Act provides authority for depopulation and indemnity.
A major lesson learned this year is that one key to defeating the disease is speed.  Quickly eliminating infected birds reduces the amount of virus in the environment and minimizes the risk of the disease spreading to and killing other birds. 
As a first step, we will work with the producer to create a flock inventory. This lists how many birds are at the facility, the species and their age. These along with other key details help us to provide fair market value compensation for the birds.
APHIS will make use of every appropriate and humane depopulation method at its disposal to meet the 24-hour depopulation goal and protect vital commercial poultry operations from HPAI.   APHIS’ preferred depopulation methods for poultry are water-based foam and carbon dioxide (CO2). However, in certain circumstances, using these methods might not result in depopulation within 24 hours.  
In these situations, APHIS response personnel, in conjunction with the poultry operation owner and State animal health officials, will carefully weigh epidemiological information, housing and environmental conditions, currently available resources and personnel, and other relevant factors. Ultimately APHIS might recommend shutting off the ventilation fans in the operation—with or without the addition of heat—to depopulate the birds and end their suffering.     
Should ventilation shutoff be decided, on-site responders will carry it out as quickly and humanely as possible.   APHIS will not make this decision lightly.  APHIS understands the concerns about this method.  In  some cases, however, it could prove more effective and humane than a lengthier depopulation process that can lead to a greater number of birds suffering the terrible effects of HPAI.   
Goal: Depopulate infected flocks ideally within 24 hours

7. HPAI Planning: Indemnity
Changes to processes:
Split payments for contract growers
Biosecurity self-certification
Biosecurity plan
Inventory upon suspicion of HPAI
APHIS and State officials evaluate disposal options based on the size of the flock, local conditions, and applicable laws/regulations. When possible disposal on-site is the preferred method to avoid movement of any virus off the premises. During the most recent outbreak, we found on-site composting to be a very effective method of disposal.
Based on our experience in the Midwest, the biggest roadblock to efficient depopulation, which is key to reducing the spread of the virus, is the lack of ready sites to receive and process dead birds.
Along these lines, we’ve urged states and industry to develop site- and county-level specific depopulation plans for landfilling or composting birds. Producers should be thinking now about on-site disposal options or acceptable alternatives if that is not feasible. It’s important to note that on-site disposal also requires availability of an effective carbon source, such as wood chips, corn stover or litter.
We are also working with states to map out landfills that can take large quantities of dead birds. This has been a key component of our fall planning efforts, but may not be feasible in some locations.

8. HPAI Planning: Biosecurity
Comprehensive biosecurity is essential for preventing and reducing future outbreaks
Stringent biosecurity practices are critical for preventing farm-to-farm transmission of HPAI. Biosecurity at the gate is important but we’ve learned that it’s just as important to have good security at the barn as well.
Biosecurity applies to vehicles, equipment, buildings, personnel and visitors. A failure in just one area can have significant consequences when it comes to HPAI. Producers should institute stringent biosecurity measures to help protect their livelihoods against the introduction of disease.
As part of our fall planning effort, APHIS partnered with the poultry industry to develop a biosecurity self-assessment checklist to assist producers in implementing effective biosecurity plans. I have included that link on this slide and encourage producers to take the self-assessment.
APHIS will soon be publishing an interim rule that will require producers to self-certify that biosecurity measures were in place and followed as a condition of receiving future indemnity payments. Interim rules are effective upon publication.
Checklist for Self-Assessment of Enhanced Biosecurity:

9. HPAI Planning: Virus Elimination
Flat rate for each poultry type
Based on cost for dry cleaning and heating to eliminate virus
Producer can choose method
Paid in two installments
APHIS and State officials evaluate disposal options based on the size of the flock, local conditions, and applicable laws/regulations. When possible disposal on-site is the preferred method to avoid movement of any virus off the premises. During the most recent outbreak, we found on-site composting to be a very effective method of disposal.
Based on our experience in the Midwest, the biggest roadblock to efficient depopulation, which is key to reducing the spread of the virus, is the lack of ready sites to receive and process dead birds.
Along these lines, we’ve urged states and industry to develop site- and county-level specific depopulation plans for landfilling or composting birds. Producers should be thinking now about on-site disposal options or acceptable alternatives if that is not feasible. It’s important to note that on-site disposal also requires availability of an effective carbon source, such as wood chips, corn stover or litter.
We are also working with states to map out landfills that can take large quantities of dead birds. This has been a key component of our fall planning efforts, but may not be feasible in some locations.

10. Vaccination Vaccination is a complex issue
APHIS has not approved the use of vaccines at this time
However, we are taking steps to be ready if we do approve their use
Finalized policy posted on APHIS website

11. Supply Chain Issues

12. Trade Impact
17 trading partners have suspended all U.S. poultry and poultry products:
China: $391 million
Russia: $153 million
South Korea: $123 million

13. Engagement with Trading Partners
Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe meetings to provide HPAI updates
APHIS encouraging regionalization to minimize trade restrictions

14. Wild Bird Surveillance
Interagency Strategic Plan published June 2015
Over 37, 000 samples collected since July 2015; no confirmed HPAI
One H7N8 LPAI in Kentucky

15. Antimicrobial Resistance
Developed with broad collaboration across Federal agencies.
FY 2016 AMR budget plan that was included in the President’s budget including broad funding for monitoring and stewardship for AMR- related topics.
No funding received from either the Senate or House to date.
Collaboration with FDA.

16. Education, Extension, & Outreach
USDA AMR Activities
Surveillance
Research
Development
Limited Enforcement
Education, Extension, & Outreach

17. Questions?