Conduct animal disease surveillance and prepare response activities that will provide specific information to the recipient, aphis, and other interested parties for poultry, cattle, swine, sheep and…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the Maryland Department of Agriculture a $425,851 cooperative agreement effective April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027 under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025).

The recipient will conduct animal disease surveillance and preparedness activities across poultry, cattle, and swine commodities. For avian health, Maryland will perform approximately 3,900 avian influenza tests in commercial, backyard, live bird market, and exhibition poultry using National Poultry Improvement Plan and state testing guidelines; offer 150 necropsies for backyard poultry with respiratory signs; conduct an avian influenza training exercise to review the state's initial response and containment plan; and stockpile supplies and equipment for outbreak response. For cattle, the recipient will track tuberculosis and brucellosis testing conducted by accredited veterinarians (approximately 150 tests each entered into Surveillance Collaboration Services), train approximately 50 accredited veterinarians in BSE, tuberculosis, and brucellosis testing through initial and refresher trainings, and issue non-compliance notices for health certificates that do not meet required regulations. For swine, Maryland will conduct approximately 70 garbage feeding inspections during auction markets. The deliverables serve APHIS, the recipient, and the agriculture industry to meet surveillance, preparedness, response, and outreach needs to protect American agriculture, animal health, and trade. Performance occurs in Maryland.

Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to conduct animal disease surveillance and prepare response activities that will provide specific information to the recipient, aphis, and other interested parties for poultry, cattle, swine, sheep and goat commodities.

Activities

Support animal health staff, provide training, attend training, and carry out animal disease surveillance and laboratory activities to prevent, detect, and respond to animal health issues. Avian: the recipient will: a. Carry out approximately 3900 tests for avian influenza in commercial, backyard, live bird market, and exhibition poultry using the national poultry improvement plan and state testing guidelines b. Offer 150 necropsies for backyard poultry, prioritizing those with respiratory signs c. Conduct an avian influenza training exercise to review their initial state response and containment plan for avian influenza. D. Stockpile and maintain supplies and equipment to have on hand for animal disease outbreak response. Cattle: a. Track tuberculosis testing done by accredited veterinarians with an estimated number of 150 to be entered into surveillance collaboration services. B. Track brucellosis testing done by accredited veterinarians with an estimated number of 150 to be entered into surveillance collaboration services. C. Train accredited veterinarians in BSE, tuberculosis and brucellosis testing during initial and refresher trainings with an estimated number of 50 trainees. D. Maryland will issue non-compliance notices to health certificates if they do not meet the required regulations swine: the recipient will: a. Conduct approximately 70 garbage feeding inspections during auction markets deliverables and expected outcomes: meet the needs for surveillance, preparedness, response, and outreach necessary to protect american agriculture, animal health and trade. (VS mission goals.) intended beneficiary/IES: recipient, aphis, and agriculture industry to maintain domestic food supply and international trade. The main beneficiaries of this cooperation will be the american agro-industry, livestock producers, animal and public health organizations, USDA-aphis, and the recipient which will translate into a more robust agricultural economy in the state of MD and the U.S. Ultimately, the public benefits from this agreement by maintaining a stable supply and pricing for animal agricultural products.