WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture 2025 Winter Policy Conference, NASDA members amended the organization’s policy to support the implementation of a robust national action plan for the detection, surveillance, response and containment of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
“U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ remarks made to NASDA members this morning announced that these steps are already underway, and NASDA stands ready to collaborate with USDA and federal agencies to ensure the United States’ collective response to HPAI is coordinated, efficient and effective at all levels,” NASDA CEO Ted McKinney said.
In addition to the new policy, members also passed two action items to initiate first steps on the amended policy. One calling for a national vaccine strategy led by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, coordinated with industry and the National Association of State Animal Health Officials. The second action item urges Congress to enact comprehensive legislation that supports the USDA APHIS indemnity and compensation program for foreign animal disease outbreaks.
“Swift, collective action is needed to implement a consistent plan, including resources to take needed measures to protect farms and livestock from highly pathogenic avian influenza and limit spread further,” McKinney said. “Equally important, we must help farmers who have been impacted mitigate the effects of highly pathogenic avian influenza on their farms.”
Combating the spread of diseases, protecting animal health and welfare and guarding against the spread of invasive species are key responsibilities of state departments of agriculture. State departments of agriculture regulate and oversee animal health programs in their states to protect against an animal disease outbreak and secure our food supply. NASDA is committed to working with intergovernmental agencies and industry stakeholders to foster a collaborative approach to animal health initiatives.
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NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances American food and agricultural communities through policy, partnerships and public engagement. To learn more about NASDA, please visit www.nasda.org.
