Veterinary Division

Poultry Programs

The Animal Health Programs, Poultry Section, administers the National Poultry Improvement Plan in cooperation with the USDA, APHIS.

The objective of the National Poultry Improvement Plan is to provide a cooperative Industry-State-Federal program through which new technology can be effectively applied to the improvement of poultry and poultry products throughout the country. The provisions of the Plan, developed jointly by industry members and State and Federal Officials, establish standards for the evaluation of poultry breeding stock and hatchery products with the respect freedom from hatchery-disseminated diseases. Products conforming to specific standards are identified by authorized terms that are uniformly applicable in all parts of the country.

The provisions of the Plan are changed from time to time to conform with the development of the industry and utilize new information as it becomes available. These changes are based upon recommendations made at the National Plan Conferences by official delegates representing participating flock owners, breeders, and hatchery owners from all cooperating States, in accordance with Chapter 1, title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 147, Subpart E.