Florida’s Ag Commissioner issued a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Emergency Rule to protect Florida cattle and other livestock.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in domestic livestock in eight states, according to a Southeast AgNet article. HPAI is commonly known as Bovine Associated Influenza A Syndrome (H5N1) in livestock, and Florida Ag Commissioner, Wilton Simpson, issued Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Emergency Rule, or Emergency Rule 5CER24-4, to protect Florida’s cattle and other livestock. While the article maintains that the disease has not been detected in Florida cattle or other livestock, the Emergency Rule temporarily restricts the importation of cattle to Florida. See the details below.

Details of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Emergency Rule

According to the article, the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Emergency Rule, or Emergency Rule 5CER24-4, enacts the following temporary restrictions:

  • “No cattle exposed to or infected with Bovine Associated Influenza A Syndrome may be imported into Florida.
  • No lactating dairy cattle from states with suspected or confirmed cases of Bovine Associated Influenza A Syndrome may be imported into Florida.
  • Non-lactating dairy cattle from states with suspected or confirmed cases must be accompanied by a valid Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection completed no more than 10 days prior to importation.”

The article maintains that Florida is at a lower risk for HPAI/H5N1 due to its status as a cow-calf state that is a “net exporters of cattle” and an importer of “few lactating dairy cattle.” The article also adds that “Emergency Rule 5CER24-4 is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

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