New US Rules to Ensure Contractors Get Compensation in Bird Flu Outbreaks
US - The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced a new rule on payouts of indemnity claims for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
8 February 2016
2 minute read
By: This interim rule is due to publish in the Federal Register in the coming week.
The outbreak of HPAI in spring 2015 had profound impacts on poultry producers, allied industries, and federal and state governments.
APHIS said the new rule is part of a commitment to learning from the event, and modifying their procedures where needed.
APHIS said the interim rule:
- clarifies an existing policy that allows for the payment of indemnity for eggs destroyed by HPAI response;
- provides a formula to allow indemnity payments to be split between poultry and egg owners and their contracted growers, to ensure all contractors are compensated appropriately; and,
- requires owners and contractors to provide a statement that they had a biosecurity plan in place at the time HPAI was detected in their facilities in order to receive indemnity. This requirement includes limited exemptions.
These actions are being taken in an effort to solidify policies surrounding the payment of indemnity and further strengthen biosecurity adherence at poultry operations.
In addition, APHIS is requesting comments and ideas through this rule on how the Agency should develop a stronger accountability system for monitoring industry biosecurity practices.
Public comments on the interim rule will be accepted for 60 days following publication in the Federal Registration.
