Keeping Chickens Healthy: The NPIP Conference on Disease Control

You might care about this because the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing important meetings about poultry health. These meetings involve the General Conference Committee and the 47th Biennial Conference of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). The NPIP is a program that works with State agencies and the poultry industry to keep poultry healthy. This notice tells us when and where these meetings will happen. The General Conference Committee will meet on August 11, 2026. The main conference will take place from August 12 to August 14, 2026. Both events will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center Hotel. Key topics for discussion include new ways to test for diseases, updates on Salmonella, news about Avian Influenza, and information on Mycoplasma. These are all serious diseases that can affect poultry farms. The meetings are open to the public, but public speaking time might be limited. You can also send written comments to the committee before or after the meeting. If you need any special accommodations to attend, you should ask for them by July 29, 2026. What is particularly interesting about this document is the ongoing effort to protect poultry health in the United States. The National Poultry Improvement Plan acts as a crucial link between government health officials and the people who raise chickens and other poultry. This collaboration is very important because it helps develop and maintain standards for poultry health across the country. When new diagnostic tests are approved, it means farmers will have better tools to detect diseases early. Updates on diseases like Salmonella, Avian Influenza, and Mycoplasma are also significant. These diseases can cause major economic losses for farmers and can sometimes pose risks to public health. By regularly discussing these issues and sharing the latest information, the NPIP helps keep our food supply safe and ensures the well-being of poultry flocks. This proactive approach helps prevent widespread outbreaks and supports the entire poultry industry. People who would be most interested in this legal document include poultry farmers and producers who rely on healthy flocks for their livelihood. Veterinarians specializing in animal health and agricultural scientists will find the updates on diagnostic tests and specific diseases very relevant to their work. State and federal agricultural agencies, particularly those involved in animal health and food safety, will also follow these discussions closely. Anyone involved in the food processing industry or food safety regulations will also find this information important. Lastly, consumers who care about where their food comes from and how safe it is may also be interested in the efforts to maintain poultry health standards.