Since the official detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in the Texas panhandle on March 25, producers and agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services have been working to mitigate and understand the potential impacts of the disease on both cattle and humans.
Samples of the disease, testing to confirm meat and milk safety, and tracing in cattle have already taken effect.
Now, the USDA has announced further steps to help reduce the impact of H5N1 on producers.
“Care for farm workers and animals is critical for milk producers, as is protecting against potential human health risks and reassuring the public,” the National Milk Producers Federation responded to the recent updates. “We look forward to continued collaboration and consultation with USDA and other federal agencies as we monitor, understand, and contain this outbreak, and we will do what we can to help dairy farmers understand and benefit from these initiatives as swift implementation is put into motion.”
USDA to assist with improved biosecurity
Assitance for producers with H5N1-affected premises to improve on-site biosecurity to reduce the spread is available. In addition, the USDA is taking steps to make available financial tools for the production of lost milk in herds affected by H5N1.
“Building on the Federal Order addressing pre-movement testing, these steps will further equip producers with tools they can use to keep their affected herds and workers healthy and reduce the risk of the virus spreading to additional herds,” reads a press release by the department.
Financial support for producers. Financial support (up to $2,000 per affected premises per month) will be available to producers who supply PPE to employees and/or provide outerwear uniform laundering for producers of affected herds who facilitate the participation of their workers in USDA/CDC workplace and farmworker study.
Complementary to USDA’s new financial support for producers, workers participating in the study are also eligible for financial incentives to compensate them for their time, regardless of whether the study is led by federal, state, or local public health professionals.
Biosecurity planning and implementation. The USDA says that they will provide support (up to $1,500 per affected premises) to develop biosecurity plans based on existing secure milk supply plans.
This includes recommended enhanced biosecurity for individuals that frequently move between dairy farms — milk haulers, veterinarians, feed trucks, AI technicians, etc. In addition, USDA will provide a $100 payment to producers who purchase and use an in-line sampler for their milk system.
Funding for heat treatment to dispose of milk in a biosecure fashion will provide producers with a safe option for the disposal of milk. Heat treatment performed according to FDA standards is the only currently available method to effectively inactivate the virus in milk. If a producer establishes a system to heat treat all waste milk before disposal, USDA will pay the producer up to $2,000 per monthly affected premises.
Reimburse producers for veterinarian costs associated with confirmed positive H5N1 premises. This supports producers in covering the veterinary costs necessary for treating cattle infected with H5N1 and fees for veterinarians to collect samples for testing. This can include veterinary expenses and/or specific supplies needed for treatment and sample collection. Veterinary costs can be covered from the initial date of positive confirmation at NVSL for that farm, up to $10,000 per affected premises.
Offset shipping costs for influenza A testing at laboratories in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. USDA will pay for shipping samples to NAHLN labs for testing. USDA will pay actual shipping costs, not to exceed $50 per shipment for up to 2 shipments per month for each affected premises. Testing at NAHLN laboratories for samples associated with this event (e.g., pre-movement, testing of sick/suspect animals, and samples from concerned producers) is already being conducted at no cost to the producer.
Together, these tools represent a value of up to $28,000 per premises to support increased biosecurity activities over the next 120 days.
Compensate producers for loss of milk production. USDA is taking steps to make funding available from the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish Program to compensate eligible producers with positive herds who experience loss of milk production. While dairy cows that have been infected with H5N1 generally recover well, and there is little mortality associated with the disease, it does dramatically limit milk production, causing economic losses for producers with affected premises. USDA can support farmers with the ELAP program to offset some of these losses. This compensation program is distinct from the strategy to contain the spread.
Work with states to limit the movement of lactating cattle. Additionally, USDA will work with and support the actions of states with affected herds as they consider movement restrictions within their borders to further limit the spread of H5N1 between herds and reduce the further spread of this virus.
USDA will make $98 million in existing funds available to APHIS to fund these initiatives. If needed, USDA has the authority, with Congressional notification, to make additional funds available.
Additional details on how producers can access and apply for the financial tools are forthcoming.