New Recordkeeping Requirements for Indiana Poultry Purchases, Sales
US - Last October, in response to the highly pathogenic avian influenza findings throughout the Upper Midwest, Indiana adopted new recordkeeping requirements for Hoosier poultry owners buying and selling birds. At the time, members of the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) did not foresee the discovery of the avian influenza H7N8 virus in Dubois County in January—which reinforces the need for good recordkeeping.
29 January 2016
3 minute read
By: Recordkeeping Requirements
Under the new law, all sellers and buyers of poultry in Indiana must maintain records of flock additions and removals for 3 years. Records must include: names and addresses of buyer and seller, sale date, breed, sex, number of animals and reason for movement. This state requirement applies to all retail, swap meet, flea market, auction and private sales, including barters or trades.
“The finding of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Southern Indiana reinforces the need for the new recordkeeping rule,” said Indiana State Veterinarian Bret D. Marsh, DVM. “In a disease event of this magnitude, the Board of Animal Health needs the ability to trace bird movements to ensure the disease has not spread. That is why we added poultry to Indiana’s Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule.”
Poultry Entering Indiana
For those who purchase birds from out-of-state sources, BOAH reminds buyers that all poultry entering Indiana must have either a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) or a National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) form VS 9-3. If chicks are purchased from an NPIP-certified hatchery, then the chicks can enter Indiana with a copy of the NPIP form VS 9-3.
Information about Indiana’s poultry entry and recordkeeping requirements is available on BOAH’s website at: www.in.gov/boah/2721.htm.
Healthy Birds Hotline
Poultry owners are encouraged to monitor their birds for any signs of unusal illness or death. Report sick or dead poultry by calling the Healthy Birds Hotline: 866-536-7593. This toll-free hotline will connect poultry owners with a state or federal veterinarian who can determine if an illness needs more follow-up.
National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP)
Poultry owners may certify their flocks in the NPIP program. For information about NPIP in Indiana, visit the Indiana State Poultry Association’s website at: www.inpoultry.com/npip/ or contact the association at: 765-494-8517 or [email protected].
