The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced in a press release that it would be updating the policies it already has in place to enhance testing of turkey flocks to combat the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or highly pathogenic bird flu.

Outgoing USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack sent a letter to Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture acknowledging the progress made in reopening cattle trade between the two countries following the detection of New World Screwworm,

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture approved the money allocation from the Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS to support the fight against the pest.

According to a news release, the DNR has increased its contract with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to enhance the disposal of dead birds that might carry Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The contract expansion, amounting to $30,000, will provide additional wildlife technicians in the state through September.

A routine inspection by the USDA found that 57% of Frankfort TPA Park's small birds were either dead or missing, with no explanation given by staff.

American Horse Council’s President Julie Broadway said AHC formally requested the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service delay the implementation of the revised Horse Protection Act regulations for 60 days.

The AHC finds the USDA is not ready to implement and/or enforce the revised regulation in a fair and consistent manner

The addition to the Horse Protection Act allows USDA-APHIS to screen, train, and authorize qualified persons to detect and diagnose soring at such events.

USDA updates list of Central American countries affected by screwworm. Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica have been added to the list of regions affected by scr

Some animal welfare groups are calling on USDA to release data on whether cockfighting has contributed to the spread of bird flu in the U.S.

Nolen RS. Mexico screwworm case triggers US emergency response. American Veterinary Medical Association. Published December 20, 2024. Accessed January 16, 2025. https://www.avma.org/news/mexico-screwworm-case-triggers-us-emergency-response

Citing confusion about implementation of the pending amendments to the HPA, USEF echoes AHC's concerns in this update to its members.