The U.S. Department of Agriculture published a new federal order Friday requiring the testing of the nation’s milk supply for avian flu.
Samples must be gathered and shared with USDA upon request by organizations that handle raw milk, such as dairy processors or bulk milk transporters.
The objective is to stop the spread of the avian flu strain H5N1, which is generating outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows, among livestock by promptly identifying which dairy herds are impacted. 718 dairy herds have been impacted as of Thursday.
Among other benefits, this will help farmers and farmworkers feel more secure about their animals’ safety and self-defense, and it will set us up for swiftly containing and halting the virus’s spread across the country, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsacks stated in a press release on Friday.
As initially reported by Reuters, the first round of testing under the new mandate is scheduled to start on December 16.
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