Feds Polish Up National Plan for Healthier Chickens
Published Date: 8/5/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
We are proposing to amend the regulations governing the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). These amendments would, among other things, clarify existing provisions of the regulations, fix editorial errors, and align the regulations more closely with current producer practices. These proposed changes were voted on and approved by the voting delegates at the NPIP's 2024 National Plan Conference.
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Easier Import Path for Foreign Flocks
The rule would allow products from non‑participant flocks located outside the U.S. to be imported into participant hatcheries without the usual Sec. 145.4(d) conditions if freedom from Plan diseases is shown via APHIS import certificates (9 CFR 93.205), inspection at port (9 CFR 93.207), and, where needed, additional testing or laboratory evidence (at least two listed lab conditions).
Imported Eggs Exception for Participants
Sec. 145.5(a) is revised so participating flocks do not have to be separated from nonparticipants if eggs imported from another country come from flocks certified and tested free of Plan diseases or considered equivalent by the Official State Agency with APHIS concurrence under Sec. 145.4(f).
Simplified Newcastle Disease Clean Rules
The Newcastle Disease Clean program is revised to apply to the primary breeding-hatchery industry only, to focus on prevention and control of virulent Newcastle disease, and to limit use as an added assurance to participants enrolled in and in good standing with the U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Clean Compartment program. APHIS proposes removing the vaccinated/unvaccinated distinctions.
State Surveillance Option for Exhibitions
For Pullorum-Typhoid clean status, birds going to public exhibition may come from a State-approved surveillance program instead of requiring each bird to come from a Pullorum-Typhoid Clean flock or have a negative test. The rule retains the option of negative testing within 90 days of exhibition or sourcing from Pullorum-Typhoid Clean or equivalent flocks.
Remote Inspections Allowed by Rule
The rule adds a definition for "remote inspection" allowing real-time audio/video inspections by an Official State Agent or designee. APHIS says remote inspections provide increased biosecurity and efficiency for facilities and personnel.
Baby Poultry Age Defined (72 Hours)
The definition of "baby poultry" is changed to mean newly hatched birds up to 3 days of age (up to 72 hours). The revision is intended to harmonize NPIP with APHIS import protocols.
State Inspection Language Clarified
Several definitions are revised to replace the phrase "equivalent to Federal inspection" with "at least equal to" Federal inspection to align with the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act.
H5/H7 Testing: Remove Antibody Requirement
For H5/H7 Avian Influenza monitored status, the rule removes the specific reference to testing for antibodies (while retaining the existing minimum of 11 birds tested negative), reflecting that modern testing often detects the virus itself rather than antibodies.
Sanitize Definition Adds Virucidal
The definition of "sanitize" is revised to include products and procedures that are virucidal (in addition to germicidal, fungicidal, pseudomonacidal, and tuberculocidal) and retains that products must be EPA‑registered and approved by the Official State Agency with APHIS concurrence.
Program Standards Updated and Versioned
The NPIP Program Standards document would be updated to match these regulatory changes, add compartmentalization definitions and audit checklists, update test-kit names and product numbers, and add footers in PUB.MONTH, YEAR format for version control to aid international trade partners.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-01836, Horse Protection Amendments; Postponement of Regulations
The USDA is delaying new horse protection rules that were set to start on February 1, 2025, pushing them back 60 days to April 2, 2025. These rules affect horse shows, exhibitions, and sales by requiring trained inspectors to catch soring, a harmful practice. This delay gives everyone more time to get ready without changing any fees or costs.
2026-19237, Bayer U.S.-Crop Science: Availability of a Petition for a Determination of Nonregulated Status and Draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment for Herbicide Resistant MON 96012 Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Bayer U.S.-Crop Science wants the green light to grow a new type of cotton that resists several herbicides, making weed control easier for farmers. The USDA is reviewing this request and asking the public to share their thoughts by November 20, 2026. If approved, this could change farming practices and possibly save money on weed management.
2026-18858, Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Field Release of Aceria salsolae (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Mite for Biological Control of Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus), in the Contiguous United States
The USDA is giving the green light to release a tiny mite called Aceria salsolae to help control the pesky Russian thistle (tumbleweed) across the central and western U.S. This natural solution aims to reduce the spread of this invasive weed without harming the environment, and permits for releasing the mite will be issued soon. Farmers and landowners can expect fewer tumbleweeds, making land management easier and potentially saving money on weed control.
2026-18021, Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Irradiation Treatment; Location of Facilities in the Southern United States
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the location of irradiation treatment facilities in the United States.
2026-18022, Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection: Environmental Monitoring
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with environmental monitoring.
2026-17596, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry: Determination of Nonregulated Status for Blight-Tolerant Darling 54 American Chestnut (Castanea dentata)
We are advising the public of our determination that Darling 54 American Chestnut (Castanea dentata), which was developed using genetic engineering for tolerance to the fungal pathogen, Cryphonectria parasitica, is no longer considered regulated. Our determination is based on our evaluation of information and data submitted by the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in its petition for a determination of nonregulated status, available scientific data, a plant pest risk assessment, and public comments received in response to previous notices announcing the availability of the petition for nonregulated status and a draft plant pest risk assessment. This notice announces the availability of our written determination and supporting documents.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15824, Petition for Rulemaking of Matheus Garcia Pereira
Please take notice that the Federal Trade Commission ("Commission") received a petition for rulemaking from Matheus Garcia Pereira and has published that petition online at https:// www.regulations.gov. The Commission invites written comments concerning the petition. Publication of this petition is pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure and does not affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.
Next: 2026-15857, Importation of Coffee Into Hawaii and Puerto Rico
We are proposing to amend the regulations regarding the importation of unroasted coffee and related articles into Hawaii and Puerto Rico by establishing a notice-based process for changes to the prohibitions on importing such articles. We would also broaden language regarding coffee pests. We are proposing these amendments because they would allow the Agency to more efficiently respond to market access requests as well as to emerging pest situations. These amendments would allow us to use a streamlined approach to update the importation conditions for unroasted coffee and related articles while continuing to protect plant health.