VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES
DIVISION OF ANIMAL & FOOD INDUSTRY SERVICES
STATE VETERINARIAN'S OFFICE
P. O. BOX 1163
RICHMOND, VA 23218
AVIAN INFLUENZA (H5 and H7) PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Virginia poultry growers and owners have experienced significant economic losses from Avian Influenza, and
WHEREAS, Avian Influenza outbreak eradication efforts and indemnity payments have been costly to the federal government and the Commonwealth of Virginia, and
WHEREAS, another serious outbreak of Avian Influenza could threaten the future of the Virginia poultry industry, then
Pursuant to the authority of Chapter 27 of Title 3.1 of the Code of Virginia, Article 1, §3.1-724, 730, 734 and 740, and Article 1.1, §3.1-741.4 and 741.5, and 2VAC 5-140-90, Health Requirements Governing The Admission of Livestock, Poultry, Companion Animals, and other Animals or Birds into Virginia, the following requirements are implemented:
A. Requirements governing hatching eggs and certain day-old birds
No person may bring or ship into Virginia any hatching egg, day-old chicken, day-old game bird, or day-old turkey unless:
1. [In the case of the hatching egg] the hatching egg originates from a breeder flock that participates in and meets the requirements of the "U.S. Avian Influenza Clean" program of the National Poultry Improvement Plan and [in the case of the day-old chicken, day-old game bird, or day-old turkey] the hatchery from which the day-old chicken, day-old game bird, or day-old turkey originates only handles hatching eggs that originate from breeding flocks that participate in and meet the requirements of the "U.S. Avian Influenza Clean" program of the National Poultry Improvement Plan; and
2. The person holds a permit for such shipment from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (telephone 540/434-3897); and
3. A statement certifying that the breeder flock shipping hatching eggs and all breeder flocks supplying eggs to the hatchery shipping day-old chickens, day-old game birds, or day-old turkeys participate in and meet the requirements of the "U.S. Avian Influenza Clean" program of the National Poultry Improvement Plan, and the permit number shall be entered in block #10 of VS Form 9-3.
B. Requirements governing all other subject avian species.
Except as provided by paragraph A ("Requirements governing
hatching eggs and certain day-old birds"), no person may
bring or ship into Virginia any subject avian species, unless:
1. The subject avian species is first tested and found negative for Avian Influenza (H5 and H7), or comes from a flock that has first been tested (20 birds per house minimum, or for flocks, of 500 or fewer, 20 birds per flock minimum as long as all houses and pens on the premises are represented) and found negative for Avian Influenza (H5 and H7) within 10 days before the subject avian species enters Virginia: and
2. The person holds a permit for such shipment from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (telephone 540/434-3897).
3. The results of the test for Avian Influenza and the permit number are recorded on a health certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian in the state of origin or on a report issued by a laboratory approved by any state or federal animal health authority.
In testing for Avian Influenza, the accredited veterinarian shall use only the AGID, ELISA, Directigen, PCR or virus isolation test methods in a laboratory approved by a state or federal animal health authority.
C. Exceptions to Proclamation
Nothing in this proclamation shall apply to:
1. Any subject avian species or hatching egg passing directly through Virginia to another state without being removed from its primary container;
2. Any broiler less than 55 days of age going directly to slaughter; or
3. Any pigeons, doves, finches, and psittacine birds.
D. Effective date of proclamation
This proclamation shall take effect June 1, 2004 and supercedes
Avian Influenza (H5 and H7) Proclamation, effective July 3, 2003.
Donald W. Butts, DVM
State Veterinarian
Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
June 1, 2004
Signed by: Donald W. Butts, DVM State Veterinarian Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Animal and Food Industry Services
Additional information about Virginia's avian influenza surveillance program may be accessed at:
http://www.vdacs.state.va.us/animals/avian.html