Is poultry litter in cattle feed causing bird flu spread? US feed industry debunks these claims, citing robust safety protocols and USDA findings. Learn more.
Despite its limited use, dried poultry litter has been on the approved list of commercial feed ingredients by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) since 1982. AAFCO, in conjunction with the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), is contesting recent media reports. These outlets claim that the bird flu virus has been spread to dairy cattle as a result of consuming chicken litter on farms. Such accusations, however, are deemed highly unlikely by Austin Therrell, the Executive Director of the AAFCO; he asserts that the rigorous food safety protocols in effect significantly reduce any possibility of such allegations holding true.
AAFCO’s Rigorous Approach to Ingredient Definition
Diving deeper into the heart of the matter, Therrell is quick to stress the Associations’ unerring commitment to safety and quality. The primary weapon in their systemic armory is the stringent ingredient definition process. This painstaking procedure includes a scientific evaluation by none other than the FDA’s dedicated Centre for Veterinary Medicine, lending additional credibility to the process. Further strengthening this bulwark are approvals from state regulators, which underscore the intense scrutiny that each ingredient undergoes before it’s sanctioned for use.
Preventive Food Safety Measures
Moving beyond the basic ingredient approval, Therrell further highlights the comprehensive food safety measures enforced under the mantle of the Food Safety Modernization Act. These proactive stipulations go a long way in raising the bar for food safety, aiming to mitigate any potential threats before they turn into a reality.
AAFCO’s Mandatory Product Testing
The AAFCO’s Official Publication is notably explicit in its directives when it comes to manufacturers of processed animal waste products, like dried poultry litter. Serving as a guideline to the industry, it requires thorough testing to be conducted for an array of contaminants, including but not limited to drugs, pesticides, pathogenic organisms, heavy metals, parasites, and mycotoxins. Moreover, the extensive audit trails ensure that these stringent standards are upheld, demanding impermeable record maintenance from manufacturers to ward off any substandard practices.
AFIA Supports AAFCO’s Stand
You may have heard about Constance Cullman, the intrepid American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) CEO. She’s defending the industry against sensational claims and pointing fingers at chicken litter as the villain of this troubling bird flu spread narrative. Addressing the media reports and negating the accusations, she firmly stands in support of AAFCO’s stringency in feed ingredient protocols.
“We’re disturbed by the jumping-of-the-gun assertions and articles implicating feeding practices as the root cause of high HPAI virus prevalence on dairy farms. And all this without laying out the complete facts,” she states plainly, showing her unequivocal stance on the issue at hand. “Truth be told, wild migratory birds are the prime suspects behind the introduction of the virus in dairy cattle—based on the knowledge we possess today,” Cullman explains.
The authoritative stance of Cullman doesn’t stop there. She also explains that the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is investing more time and resources into understanding the virus. They’re closely observing cases where the virus may have proliferated between herds due to cattle movements or extended to nearby poultry premises.
Her narrative aligns perfectly with AAFCO’s current stand and vouches for the diligent food safety protocols in place, re-emphasizing the importance of building narratives based on conclusions drawn from thorough research. She says that is undeniably crucial, as sensationalized headlines and unverified linkages can cause unnecessary panic and even harm the industry.
Understanding the Wild Birds Interference
Shifting focus from poultry litter to the wild environment that surrounds us, the CEO highlighted the USDA’s finding. It turns out, wild migratory birds, those unassuming wildlife visitors, are being considered as the primary carriers responsible for the virus making its way to dairy cattle. Picture this scenario: these free-spirited birds, in their routine movement, inadvertently act as the bridge between the virus and dairy cattle. As you can imagine, it becomes crucial to investigate if lateral transmission among herds is plausible. Exciting yet disturbing, isn’t it?
Surprisingly, the use of poultry litter in cattle feed, which might seem like a potential suspect, has got a clean chit from the FDA. They say, based on the data they have, there is no indication that health risks arise from its usage, which can force them to impose restrictions on it. Is that not reassuring to hear?
Furthermore, imagine you are on a call with representatives from the USDA, and you learn that once a poultry farm is impacted by the HPAI, stringent measures are in place. Absolutely nothing leaves the premises, let alone risky materials like poultry litter or waste for crop fertilizer or feed which is an essential pillar of biosecurity. Echoing this stance is none other than the FDA themselves. They don’t have any data to demonstrate the unsafe nature of using poultry litter in cattle feed. Thus, no restrictions need to be put on its use. So, is it not time to revisit any hasty panic sparked by such feeds?
The Bottom Line
In light of current developments, it’s crucial to stress that the potential link between the spread of bird flu and the use of dried poultry litter in dairy cattle feed remains contentious and unproven. Both AFIA and AAFCO ardently deny these allegations, pointing towards robust food safety protocols and rigorous testing methods that assure public health. Notably, their position is further backed by the USDA’s statement attributing the bird flu spread to wild migratory birds. However, the feed industry’s adaptive response to such disputes underlines the necessity for responsible handling and application of poultry litter, strategic soil nutrient analysis, and prudent fertilization practices, aiming for optimal feed value and cost-effectiveness. Awareness and adherence to such practices are instrumental in enhancing the safety and sustainability of our agri-food systems, all while protecting public health.
- Both the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) vehemently reject claims associating the bird flu spread to the use of dried poultry litter in dairy cattle feed.
- Rigorous food safety measures, stringent testing procedures, and the USDA’s findings attributing the bird flu to wild migratory birds buttress their claim.
- Despite the challenging allegations, the agricultural sector’s adaptivity demonstrates a dedication to refined practices in poultry litter application, soil nutrient management, and appropriate fertilization methods.
- These practices are geared towards enhancing feed value, cost-effectiveness, and the overall safety and sustainability of our agricultural food systems, thereby ensuring the protection of public health.
You might also find interest in these related articles: US Dairy Farmers’ Guide: Navigating Bird Flu Outbreak – Permits, Quarantines and Beyond, USDA Confirms Cow-to-Cow Transmission a Factor in Avian Flu Spread, and Federal Response Criticized by Scientists over Bird Flu Outbreaks on Dairy Farms.
