In 2014-2015 an outbreak of avian flu demonstrated the enormous impact disease can have on distributing improved breeding stock worldwide. Consequently, changes have been made to the National Poultry Improvement Plan Program Standards which will go into effect February, 2019.
An administrative change is moving some regulations concerning diagnostic science, testing technologies and best practices from regulations to inclusion in the standards document since changing regulations is more time consuming than practical. Under the changes, updates and revisions will be made by notice rather than going through the formal regulation process so emerging technology and practices can be instituted in a timely manner thereby protecting the breeding poultry industry from most disease-related worldwide distribution issues.
Another important change is re-organizing regulations through compartmentalization of the primary poultry breeding industry sections such as farms, feedmills, hatcheries and egg depots. Included are application requirements, facility design and management and an explanation of auditing processes for evaluation. In addition, visitors will be required to sign agreement to company-established practices in terms of personal items and food forthe breeding industry.
More detailed information is available at: