National Poultry Improvement Plan of Arizona
What is NPIP?
The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) was established in the early 1930's to provide a cooperative industry, state, and federal program through which new diagnostic technology can be effectively applied to the improvement of poultry and poultry products throughout the country. The development of the NPIP was initiated to eliminate Pullorum Disease caused by Salmonella Pullorum which was rampant in poultry and could cause upwards of 80% mortality in baby poultry. The program was later extended and refined to include testing and monitoring for Salmonella typhoid, Salmonella Enteritidis, Mycoplasma Gallisepticum, Mycoplasma Synoviae, Mycoplasma Meleagridis, and Avian Influenza. In addition, the NPIP currently includes commercial poultry, turkeys, waterfowl, exhibition poultry, backyard poultry, and game birds. The technical and management provisions of the NPIP have been developed jointly by Industry members and State and Federal officials. These criteria have established standards for the evaluation of poultry with respect to freedom from NPIP diseases.
Courtesy of: www.poultryimprovement.org
Arizona’s Part in NPIP
NPIP Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
145-National Poultry Improvement Plan for Breeding Poultry
146-National Poultry Improvement Plan for Commercial Poultry
147-Auxillary Provisions on National Poultry Improvement Plan
The NPIP program is divided into subparts:
B: Egg-Type Chicken Breeding Flocks and Products
C: Meat-Type Chicken Breeding Flocks and Products
D: Turkey Breeding Flocks and Products
E: Waterfowl, Exhibition Poultry, and Game Bird Breeding Flocks and Products
F: Ostrich, Emu, Rhea and Cassowary Breeding Flocks and Products
G: Special Provisions for Primary Egg-Type Chicken Breeding Flocks and Products
H: Special Provisions for Primary Meat-Type Chicken Breeding Flocks and Products
J - Special Provisions for Egg/Meat-Type Game Bird and Raised-for-Release Game Bird Breeding Flocks and Products
Arizona currently covers Subparts B, E, and J
Arizona is fairly new to NPIP and the program is growing all the time. Come join! Help us grow by becoming a NPIP participant!!!
Diseases Monitored and Tested By Arizona NPIP
Each Subpart of NPIP tests for different diseases. The NPIP program in Arizona test for the following diseases:
- Pullorum- Typhoid (P-T)
- Avian Influenza (AI) – testing optional or per State Veterinarian’s request
In Arizona, the majority of our NPIP flocks are Subpart E participants, so AZDA only test for Pullorum-Typhoid (P-T) with Avian Influenza to be done as surveillance on an as needed basis determined by the State Veterinarian. A NPIP participant may choose to do extra testing to have AI clean certifications added to their NPIP status, but this will be done through a certified veterinarian of your choosing. All laboratory tests and veterinarian fees will be the responsibility of the NPIP participant.
Annual P-T Testing for Subpart E, the number of birds tested each year for P-T is dependent on the number of birds in your flock. Flocks with 1-300 birds will have all of their flock tested. Flocks with 301 birds or more will have 300 birds of their flock tested.
Benefits of Becoming a NPIP Participant
Some NPIP benefits are:
- NPIP is a voluntary program that helps protects all aspects of the poultry industry.
- NPIP monitors your flock and provides certification through regular testing.
- You will get certified to perform Pullorum-Typhoid testing during the initial visit.
- You will receive a one-on-one biosecurity improvement session with an AZDA agent at the initial site visit. This helps you to be aware of biosecurity, disease prevention, and the safety of your flock.
- NPIP limits the likelihood of introduction of disease into your flock by purchasing only from other NPIP health-certified poultry.
- Access to the NPIP database.
- NPIP certifications can be used as a promotional tool for poultry and egg sales or business.
- Your flock will be helping to maintain a P-T Clean status for all of Arizona.
- Less restrictions when exporting birds and eggs across state lines. (Check with destination states for in state requirements.)
- NPIP fulfills many poultry show and fair requirements. (Check with destination states for its state/fair/show requirements.
- You receive correspondence and updates from AZDA during an emergency situation or disease outbreak.
Expectations of Being a NPIP Participant
Initial Premises Inspection:
- Participants will be responsible for ordering and obtaining testing supplies before the Initial Premises Inspection can be scheduled.
- Your premises will be inspected by an AZDA agent.
- Participants will be certified as a tester for their flock at the time of Initial Premises Inspection.
- AZDA agent will go over your flock’s biosecurity plan and suggest any improvements.
Routine testing by participant:
- Annual testing of NPIP flock.
- Testing birds as they reach adult age of 16 weeks old.
- Initial testing and 30 days quarantine of any new birds, before introduction to your existing NPIP flock.
- Reporting of all above testing to AZDA by way of 9-2 forms (supplied by AZDA).
Day-to-day obligations and duties of participants:
- NPIP participant shall only purchase poultry and/or fertile eggs from a NPIP flock.
- NPIP participants must keep record of all poultry and/or fertile eggs purchased.
- NPIP participants should be knowledgeable of biosecurity and practice good biosecurity habits in daily activities around their flock.
- Participants should inform the Arizona Department of Agriculture of die off or signs of sickness in your NPIP flock.
Annual Premises Inspection:
- During the annual inspection, an AZDA agent will look at the sanitation of:
- Poultry Houses and Coops
- Brooders and Incubators
- Feed Storage and Watering Systems
- Hand Sanitation Areas
- Other things the AZDA agent will observe are:
- Rodent Control
- Coops Structurally Sound
- Water And Feed Availability
- Bio-security Plan In Place
- Backup Systems In Place
- Male To Female Ratios
Annual Records Audit:
- An AZDA agent will conduct an audit of your records as follows:
- Birds purchased in the past year.
- You only purchase birds from NPIP flocks.
- All documentation of bird sales and movement.
- Records of all P-T testing through the calendar year.
- Bio-Security written plan.
AZDA Inspection Form (Example)
Testing Forms VS 9-2 (Example)
Report of Sales VS 9-3 forms (Example)
How to Become a NPIP Participant
Individuals interested in joining the NPIP Program, you may fill out the forms attached below and submit to the AZDA by email [email protected], fax to 602-542-4290, or by calling 602-542-4293.
National Premises ID Application
Memorandum of Participation
Once all forms are completed and filled out an AZDA agent will contact you and set up an appointment to do your initial visit for testing and certification. What are you waiting for? Let’s get your flock on its way to being a NPIP flock!
Startup Cost for NPIP
NPIP is a voluntary program and, currently, Arizona does not charge a fee for participation in NPIP. However, each participant is responsible for providing their own testing equipment and supplies. These may be purchased online or through a dealer. Pricing will vary depending on the size of your flock and were the supplies/equipment are purchased from.
Equipment and Supplies Needed for Testing
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Pullorum Testing Unit or at least a 12x12 Glass Piece marked with 1 inch squares.
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*Antigen Stain for Pullorum-Typhoid (https://www.criver.com/
products-services/avian- )vaccine-services/mycoplasma- and-pullorum-plate-antigens? region=3601 -
*Disposable 20 g needles (Preferred testing method) or a Bleeder Loop (Bleeder loops are require to be sanitized and dried between every test performed. This requires far more time and is not a preferred method of testing.).
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Latex gloves
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Table or surface adequate for testing area and supplies.
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A helping hand to be available for initial testing and visit. (Someone willing to help with capturing and holding birds for testing.)
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A way of segregating or separate tested birds from birds not tested.
- Sharps container - to dispose of used testing needles
* Product must be purchased in quantities equivalent to or greater than the number of birds being tested. (Quantity of your whole flock or 300 birds, whichever comes first.)
How Do I Keep My Flock Healthy?
Biosecurity, Biosecurity, Biosecurity!
Biosecurity is the key to keeping your poultry healthy. "Bio" refers to life, and "security" indicates protection. By following good biosecurity practices, you can reduce the chances of an infectious disease being carried to your farm, your backyard, your aviary, or your pet birds, by people, animals, equipment, or vehicles, either accidentally or on purpose. Please, try out the links the steps to get a better understanding of biosecurity.
1. Keep Your Distance.
2. Keep It Clean.
3. Don’t Haul Disease Home.
4. Don’t Borrow Disease from Your Neighbor.
5. Know the Warning Signs of Infectious Bird Diseases.
6. Report Sick Birds.
Courtesy of:
- https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian-influenza-disease/birdbiosecurity
- https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fsc-all-npip-collateral-english.pdf
It is recommended that you establish a relationship with a veterinarian for the general health and welfare of your flock. The NPIP program and state veterinarian’s office does not provide veterinary care.
The link below is a list of poultry veterinarians in Arizona, but you are not obligated to use only this list provided here. Finding a veterinarian that you trust and feel comfortable with is essential to keeping your flock healthy.
NPIP Staff
Dr. Ryan Wolker, State Veterinarian
Phone Number: 602-542-4293
Email: [email protected]
Contact us by way of the following:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (602) 542-4293 or Fax: (602) 542-4290
If you’re raising the chickens and eggs for your own use, you may not have to pay the state sales tax (transaction privilege tax) when buying feed. A law (HB 2326) takes effect August 6, 2016 only affects state taxes, not local taxes. Check with the feed dealer for more information.