Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued an emergency rule aimed to impose movement restrictions and testing for imported dairy cattle to Florida. This comes as an effort to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. There have been no detections of HPAI in any livestock in Florida.
Commissioner Simpson said, “This emergency rule is another proactive step Florida is taking to protect our livestock, safeguard the health of our citizens, and strengthen the safety and security of our food supply.”
Restrictions imposed by emergency rule 5CER26-4 include No cattle exposed to or infected with Bovine Associated Influenza A Syndrome may be imported into Florida, Dairy cattle being imported into Florida must meet the testing and movement requirements referenced in rule chapter 5C-3, Florida Administrative Code, as well as USDA federal orders and requirements, All lactating dairy cattle being imported into Florida must be accompanied by a negative H5N1 test and a valid Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection completed no more than 7 days before importation, Non-lactating dairy cattle imported from states with a suspected or confirmed cases of H5N1 must be accompanied by a valid Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection completed no more than 10 days before importation, and Dairy cattle moving directly to slaughter, from a monitored unaffected herd, or from a state with unaffected state status are exempt from the testing requirements.
Commissioner Simpson also said, “We will continue to work collaboratively with our federal, state, and industry partners to mitigate the risks posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza and ensure the continued safety and integrity of Florida agriculture.”
Dale Sandlin and Elizabeth Sanders with Southeast AgNet reporting.