What Federal agencies have a role in poultry carcass disposal?
Category: Planing and Response Questions
Answer:
Oversight of Poultry Disposal
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has primary Federal responsibility for carcass disposal-related issues involving commercial poultry flocks. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has primary Federal responsibility for disposal of wild bird carcasses. However, most disposal actions are handled at the State and Local level and not by the Federal government.
The Animal Health Protection Act of 2002 provides the authority for the Secretary of USDA to “prevent, detect, control, and eradicate diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, and pests of birds and other animals to protect animal health, the health and welfare of people, economic interests of livestock and related industries, the environment, and interstate and foreign commerce in birds, other animals, and other articles” (USDA/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)/Veterinary Service Summary of the National Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Response Plan). This authority along with the National Response Plan, National Incident Management System, and the National Animal Health Emergency Management System designates APHIS as the lead for Federal oversight regarding disposal of carcasses contaminated with or infected by avian influenza viruses.
Learn More: Farm Animals Carcass Disposal
The Department of the Interior (DOI) is the Executive Agent for U.S. treaty obligations under several Migratory Bird Treaties, and other authorities. DOI regulatory responsibilities associated with migratory birds remain in effect throughout all phases of an avian influenza event. DOI is lead agency for all wild bird surveillance and the primary Federal department responsible for addressing avian influenza matters in wild, free-ranging bird species.
DOI is responsible for managing and protecting certain wildlife, including migratory birds, under various laws and treaties, and for protecting public health on more than 500 million acres of Federal land across the country. USDA and DOI coordinate on the Federal Government’s surveillance of wild migratory birds for the presence of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus with related surveillance activities of state fish and wildlife agencies, and provide leadership and support in the area of wildlife disease research and diagnostics to Federal and state natural resource agencies.
Learn More: DOI's Division of Migratory Bird Management
Other Roles of Federal Agencies in Poultry Carcass Disposal
In addition to the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and the Interior (DOI), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been involved in disposal of animal mortalities resulting from natural disasters. However, routine disposal of animal mortalities are typically handled by owners/operators and industry.
The USACE and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service have handled mortalities resulting from natural disasters, such as hurricanes or floods. Also, as noted above, DOI has authority for wildlife carcass disposal.
The fact that there are so many different scenarios involving carcass disposal has brought to light the need for a field guide that outlines specific methods for environmentally-sound carcass disposal. Many documents currently are being written and evaluated for their potential to provide consistency on carcass disposal decisions. To assist in this area EPA recently released a guide “Disposal of Domestic Birds Infected by Avian Influenza—An Overview of Considerations and Options” on the environmental considerations of different disposal actions. This guidance builds on previous guidance by USDA.
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Last Updated: 05/23/2007
