BIOSECURITY PROGRAM EVALUATION/AUDIT
The Big Red Biosecurity Program can help poultry producers prepare for the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) Biosecurity Audit. Assistance includes reviewing biosecurity programs to ascertain if there are areas where protection may need to be strengthened.
National Poultry Improvement Plan Background
The NPIP is a voluntary federal program created to control disease in poultry through regular diagnostic testing. The NPIP is administered by the department of agriculture in participating states.
Established in the 1930s to eliminate Pullorum Disease caused by Salmonella pullorum, the NPIP has expanded to include testing and monitoring of other diseases, including Salmonella, Mycoplasma and Avian Influenza. Following outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the U.S. in 2014-2015, the NPIP developed a set of biosecurity measures intended to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases.
NPIP Biosecurity Audit
In case of an HPAI outbreak, poultry producers will need to be participants of the NPIP and have the biosecurity audit completed by the OSA—official state agent—to be eligible for indemnity. In Nebraska, the OSA is the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Audits are completed every two years and verify that owners/operators and employees are doing what you have identified in the biosecurity program you created for your operation.