The purpose of this agreement is to 1) quickly diagnose, control and prevent the spread of AL H5 and H7 avian influenza (AI) subtypes; 2) improve biosecurity, sanitation, and diseases control in…

The Ohio Poultry Association received a $199,442 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) for the period April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. The award funds a comprehensive avian influenza surveillance and biosecurity initiative focused on quickly diagnosing, controlling, and preventing the spread of H5 and H7 avian influenza subtypes across Ohio's poultry sectors. Key services include conducting active surveillance sampling from National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) Subpart E flocks, upland game bird flocks, and backyard operations with an expected yield of approximately 1,095 test results; serving as the primary reporting contact for suspected avian influenza cases; and conducting Code of Federal Regulations-defined biosecurity audits of commercial poultry operations, hatcheries, and slaughter plants.

The award also funds educational outreach and capacity-building activities through in-person and virtual workshops targeting commercial producers, small flock owners, veterinarians, and students to improve biosecurity planning and outbreak response preparedness. The Ohio Department of Agriculture serves as a subrecipient, providing laboratory testing services for collected surveillance samples. These coordinated efforts directly benefit commercial poultry producers and small flock owners while supporting broader food supply safety through collaboration with Ohio's Department of Agriculture and USDA to update and exercise the state's Poultry Disease Response Plan.

Activities

Collect active surveillance samples for AI testing from npip subpart e and upland game bird flocks. Serve as initial point of contact for reporting suspect AI cases. Conduct CFR defined biosecurity audits of commercial flocks and audits of hatcheries and slaughter plants as defined by CFR. Maintain npip records including 9-3S and track and distribute producer laboratory reports. Gather updated producer and contract grower information and share with VS to update premises information in emrs; conduct outreach and educational programs for commercial producers, smaller flock owners, veterinarians, and students. Works with ohio department of agriculture and USDA to update ohio's poultry disease response plan, educate producers and regulatory personnel about plan, exercise the parts of the plan and identify needs and deficiencies. Deliverables and expected outcomes: expect 1095 avian influenza test results from subpart e breeding flocks, upland game bird flocks and backyard flocks. In person and virtual meetings and workshops with individual poultry company personnel and with statewide and regionwide groups. The programs will improve knowledge and skills of all segments of the poultry industry to prepare biosecurity plans for their premises and develop plans to respond to an AI outbreak.

Intended beneficiaries

Commercial poultry producers and small flock poultry owners will benefit directly and poultry product consumers will benefit in the long run. Subrecipient: ohio department of agriculture is paid to conduct testing of surveillance samples collected as part of this agreement.