The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced its investment of more than $75 million to state and national projects regarding agriculture and natural resources. More than $5 million will be dedicated to the state of Florida and more than $70 million will be utilized towards protecting the United States from invasive plants and species. FLORIDA FUNDING The USDA’s Animal …
Paraguay Fresh Beef Importation Rule Goes into Effect
by Will Jordan USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) final rule on the “Importation of Fresh Beef From Paraguay” goes into effect this week, on Nov. 14, 2023. Published in the Federal Register last month, the rule has drawn many questions from producers. According to the APHIS’s rule, they expect fresh beef imported from Paraguay to be between …
HPAI Confirmed in South Dakota
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed this week that the first commercial case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was discovered in South Dakota. APHIS says the virus was confirmed in a commercial turkey flock of 47,300 birds on October 4. Another case was also recently confirmed in a small non-commercial flock located in Idaho. The Canadian …
USDA Restricts Poultry Imports from France, EU
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently placed restrictions on the importation of poultry from France and the European Union. The restrictions, enacted by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, include live ducks, duck eggs, and unmitigated or untreated duck products from the APHIS-recognized European Poultry Trade Region, as well as Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, but excluding Great …
APHIS Finalizes Changes to Import Regulations for Horses
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is finalizing amendments to its import regulations for horses. These amendments will better align our regulations with international standards and allow more flexibility for permitted imports, while continuing to mitigate the risk of bringing equine diseases into the United States. The regulations also provide APHIS with …
USDA Network Protects Livestock
How the agriculture department works to keep animals healthy. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA has a multi-layered approach to protecting our livestock industry from high-consequence foreign animal diseases. Dr. Julie Wallin with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), says that’s the key role the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). “That’s a network of …
USDA Proposal to Strengthen Horse Protection Act
A proposed rule to strengthen horse protection. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks public input on a proposed rule to strengthen Horse Protection Act (HPA) requirements. Announced last week, the proposed changes aim to eliminate horse soring, a practice that gives horse owners and trainers an unfair advantage in …
New Resources in HPAI Prevention and Response Efforts
Prevention and response of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in wild and commercial bird populations is the focus of recent funding received by USDA from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Rod Bain has the story. Chief Veterinarian Rosemary Sifford talks about informational resources to help poultry producers protect their flocks from High Path Avian Influenza, such as recent funding for …
USDA Efforts Lift Ban on U.S. Poultry Exports to Colombia
Quick action by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has resolved an issue that temporarily stopped U.S. poultry product exports to Colombia. Colombia’s Ministry of Agriculture instructed all of their ports to deny import permits to any poultry products beginning June 1 on concerns of …
USDA Seeks Fiscal Year 2024 Suggestions for Plant Protection Projects
The USDA wants suggestions for some of next year’s projects. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks input for fiscal year 2024 Plant Protection Act funding to protect American agriculture and natural resources. The open period for submitting suggestions for Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program (PPDMDPP) …