National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP)

 

What is the National Poultry Improvement Plan?

The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) is a cooperative industry, state and federal program that was established in the 1930’s with the intent of eliminating Pullorum disease and creating a national network of disease-free poultry. Today, the program includes the testing and monitoring of Salmonella typhoid, Salmonella enteritidis, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, Mycoplasma meleagridis and Avian Influenza.

 

In addition to commercial poultry, the NPIP covers the following:

      • WATERFOWL- Domesticated aquatic birds such as ducks and geese
      • GAME BIRDS- Domesticated fowl such as pheasants, quail, partridges, grouse and guineas (not doves and pigeons) 
      • EXHIBITION POULTRY- Domesticated fowl which are bred for the combined purposes of meat or egg production and competitive showing
      • BACKYARD POULTRY- A small flock of domesticated poultry

 

Additional information on the history of the NPIP can be found here.

 

How do I become an NPIP participant?

We encourage all poultry and game bird producers to become members of the NPIP. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is the coordinating agency for the state of Idaho. Please contact us at (208)332-8554 if you are interested in becoming a participant.

 

What are the benefits of becoming a participant?

The main emphasis of the NPIP is to ensure the health and quality of avian flocks. The Program provides for a method of standardized certification that is recognized nationwide, and enhances a producer’s ability to engage in commercial sales and interstate transport of adult birds, chicks and hatching eggs.

If you become a participant:

      • The health of your flock will be monitored through annual testing.

      • Your flock will be recognized as a participating member of the NPIP. The National NPIP website lists all hatcheries, dealers, and independent flocks in the United States and your information will be available to those who wish to purchase poultry from an NPIP source. Click here to view NPIP participants by state and territory.

      • Annual Pullorum Typhoid (PT) testing completed for purposes of the NPIP program will fulfill poultry show and county/state fairs exhibition requirements.

      • Interstate movement and shipment of your poultry is allowed with a VS Form 9-3 (always contact the NPIP Official State Agency to see if they have additional movement requirements).

 

What are the annual program requirements and what equipment will I need to purchase?

Participants are required to:

      • Have an annual flock and premise(s) inspection

      • Test annually for Salmonella Pullorum Typhoid

      • Keep records of poultry purchases and sales using VS 9-3 forms

 

Participants can also have their flock tested for Avian Influenza (AI). This free testing is completed by an ISDA field representative and is strongly encouraged. Participants who test for AI can declare their flocks “AI Clean” on VS 9-3 forms.

 

There is no required equipment for NPIP certification. There is an annual ISDA NPIP testing fee for each participant which is $25.00. This covers the antigen, equipment, and inspector testing fees.

 

Other Resources:

 

More information on the NPIP, including monitoring and disease surveillance, can be found at www.poultryimprovement.org.

 

Please visit these sites for other poultry-related information: