National Poultry Improvement Plan and Auxiliary Provisions

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 82, 145, and 147

[Docket No. 94-091-1]

National Poultry Improvement Plan and Auxiliary Provisions

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: We are proposing to amend the National Poultry Improvement

Plan (the Plan) and its auxiliary provisions by providing new or

modified administrative and testing procedures for Plan participants

and participating flocks. The proposed changes were voted on and

approved by the voting delegates at the Plan's 1992 and 1994 National

Plan Conferences. These changes would keep the provisions of the Plan

current with changes in the poultry industry, reduce paperwork

requirements for some Plan participants, establish new program

classifications, and allow the use of new sampling and laboratory

procedures.

DATES: Consideration will be given only to comments received on or

before September 5, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Please send an original and three copies of your comments to

Docket No. 94-091-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS,

Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please

state that your comments refer to Docket No. 94-091-1. Comments

received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th

Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and

4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,

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except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect comments are requested to

call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment

reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Andrew R. Rhorer, Senior

Coordinator, Poultry Improvement Staff, National Poultry Improvement

Plan, Veterinary Services, APHIS, USDA, 1500 Klondike Road, Suite A-

102, Conyer, GA 30207; (404) 922-3496.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The National Poultry Improvement Plan (referred to below as ``the

Plan'') is a cooperative Federal-State-industry mechanism for

controlling certain poultry diseases. The Plan consists of a variety of

programs intended to prevent and control egg-transmitted, hatchery-

disseminated poultry diseases. Participation in all Plan programs is

voluntary, but flocks, hatcheries, and dealers must qualify as ``U.S.

Pullorum-Typhoid Clean'' before participating in any other Plan

program. Also, the regulations in 9 CFR part 82, subpart B, which

provide for certain testing, restrictions on movement, and other

restriction on certain chickens, eggs, and other articles due to the

presence of Salmonella enteritidis, require that no hatching eggs or

newly hatched chicks from egg-type chicken breeding flocks may be moved

interstate unless they are classified ``U.S. Sanitation Monitored''

under the Plan or they meet the requirements of a State classification

plan that the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection

Service (APHIS) has determined to be equivalent to the Plan, in

accordance with 9 CFR 145.23(d).

The Plan identifies States, flocks, hatcheries, and dealers that

meet certain disease control standards specified in the Plan's various

programs. As a result, customers can buy poultry that has tested clean

of certain diseases or that has been produced under disease-prevention

conditions.

The regulations in 9 CFR parts 145 and 147 (referred to below as

the regulations) contain the provisions of the Plan. APHIS amends these

provisions from time to time to incorporate new scientific information

and technologies within the Plan. In this document, we are proposing to

amend the regulations to:

1. Require the ratio of male to female birds in representative

samples taken from certain flocks for pullorum-typhoid testing to

reflect the ratio of male to female birds in the flock from which the

sample was taken;

2. Alter the number of birds serologically monitored for Mycoplasma

gallisepticum and M. synoviae in egg-type and meat-type chicken

breeding flocks;

3. Allow the use of a federally licensed enzyme-linked

immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for the serological screening of egg-

type chickens in the ``U.S. S. Enteritidis Monitored'' program;

4. Allow the use of fishmeal as an animal protein source for meat-

type breeding chickens and turkey breeding flocks;

5. Establish a new ``U.S. S. Enteritidis Clean'' classification for

primary meat-type chicken breeding flocks;

6. Establish a new ``U.S. M. Synoviae Clean State'' classification

for turkeys;

7. Provide alternative reporting methods for participating

waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game bird flocks;

8. Establish a maximum number of positive samples for Mycoplasma

gallisepticum or M. synoviae that would be examined using the

hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and/or serum plate dilution (SPD)

tests;

9. Allow the use of a colony lift assay as a supplemental screening

test to aid in the detection of group D salmonella suspect colonies on

selective and non-selective agar culture plates;

10. Establish new procedures for collecting environmental samples

and cloacal swabs from egg-type and meat-type chicken flocks and

waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game bird flocks for bacteriological

examination;

11. Provide a laboratory protocol for the bacteriological

examination of baby chicks from egg-type and meat-type chicken flocks

and waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game bird flocks; and

12. Modify the composition of the Plan's General Conference

Committee.

These proposed amendments, with the exception of number 10, are

consistent with the recommendations approved by the voting delegates to

the National Plan Conference that was held from June 26 to 28, 1994.

Proposed amendment number 10 was approved by the voting delegates to

the National Plan Conference that was held from June 30 to July 2,

1992. Participants in the 1992 and 1994 National Plan Conferences

represented flockowners, breeders, hatcherymen, and Official State

Agencies from all cooperating States. The proposed amendments are

discussed in greater detail below.

Amendment 1--Blood Testing

Blood testing is used to qualify flocks for official Plan

classifications such as U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean. Generally, the

regulations require all the birds in a flock to be blood tested for the

flock to achieve or maintain its status, but some Plan programs allow,

under certain conditions, a representative sample of birds to be blood

tested in lieu of the entire flock. Section 145.14 provides that such

representative samples must include a minimum of 30 birds from each

house, with at least one bird taken from each pen and unit in the

house. We would amend Sec. 145.14 to further require, for meat-type

chicken and waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game bird flocks, that

the ratio of male to female birds in the representative sample reflect

the ratio of male to female birds in the flock. Requiring a

representative number of male and female birds to be included in the

sample would ensure that the samples provide an accurate representation

of the birds in any given meat-type chicken or waterfowl, exhibition

poultry, or game bird flock when blood testing is required.

Amendment 2--Monitoring for Mycoplasma Gallisepticum and M.

Synoviae

Sections 145.23(c) and 145.33(c) set forth the criteria for

attaining and maintaining the ``U.S. M. Gallisepticum Clean''

classification in, respectively, egg-type and meat-type chicken

breeding flocks. Similarly, Secs. 145.23(e) and 145.33(e) set forth the

criteria for attaining and maintaining the ``U.S. M. Synoviae Clean''

classification in egg-type and meat-type chicken breeding flocks.

To retain the M. gallisepticum or M. synoviae ``Clean''

classification, the regulations require that a sample of at least 150

birds from the flock be tested for the program disease at intervals of

not more than 90 days. The regulations provide that a sample of fewer

than 150 birds may be tested at any one time if the flockowner has

received the approval of the Official State Agency and the concurrence

of APHIS, as long as a total of 150 birds are tested within each 90-day

period. Based on our experience with these programs, we believe that it

is no longer necessary to require flockowners to receive the approval

of the Official State Agency and the concurrence of APHIS before

testing a sample of fewer than 150 birds. Therefore, we are proposing

to amend paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(i) in both Sec. 145.23 and

Sec. 145.33 to remove the official approval and concurrence

requirement; we would require only that the flockowner ensure that all

pens are equally represented in each sample of fewer than 150 birds.

The flockowner

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would still have to test a total of 150 birds within each 90-day

period.

In both the M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae ``Clean''

classifications, certain multiplier breeding flocks retain their

classification through either periodic egg yolk testing or the testing

of a 50-bird sample each 90 days. For flockowners who elect to test

birds, the regulations provide that a sample of fewer than 50 birds may

be tested at any one time if a minimum of 30 birds per flock or 15

birds per pen, whichever is greater, are tested each time and a total

of at least 50 birds are tested within each 90-day period. We are

proposing to amend paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) and (e)(1)(ii) in both

Sec. 145.23 and Sec. 145.33 to increase the sample size to 75 birds per

90 days. We would allow a sample of fewer than 75 birds to be tested at

any one time as long as all pens are equally represented and a total of

75 birds are tested by the end of the 90-day period. Increasing the

sample size and replacing the per-flock and per-pen minimums with a

requirement that all pens be equally represented would provide

flockowners with more representative samples of birds that would better

reflect the M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae status of the flock.

Amendment 3--Federally Licensed ELISA Test

The ``U.S. S. Enteritidis Monitored'' classification is intended to

reduce the incidence of salmonella organisms in hatching eggs and

chicks through an effective and practical sanitation program at the

breeder farm and in the hatchery. The regulations in Sec. 145.23(d) set

forth the eligibility requirements for participation by egg-type

chicken breeding flocks in the ``U.S. S. Enteritidis Monitored''

classification. Paragraph (d)(1)(vi) of Sec. 145.23 provides that a

federally licensed Salmonella enteritidis bacterin may be used to

vaccinate birds in a multiplier breeding flock that has been

bacteriologically examined for group D salmonella; however, a sample of

350 of the flock's birds must be banded for identification and remain

unvaccinated. When the flock reaches at least 4 months of age, 300 of

the banded, unvaccinated birds must be officially tested with a

pullorum-typhoid antigen. We are proposing to amend the regulations to

give flock owners the option of using a federally licensed ELISA test

for the required testing of the 300 unvaccinated birds. Because of the

relative speed and accuracy of ELISA tests, many breeders already use

ELISA tests to monitor their flocks for a number of diseases. Allowing

the use of a federally licensed ELISA test in the ``U.S. S. Enteritidis

Monitored'' classification would give producers another effective

disease surveillance tool and may result in fewer false positive and

false negative test results.

Amendment 4--Fishmeal as an Animal Protein Source

The ``U.S. Sanitation Monitored'' classifications for meat-type

chickens and turkeys are intended to help flockowners control or reduce

the level of salmonella in their flocks. The regulations governing the

classifications are located in Sec. 145.33(d) for meat-type chickens

and in Sec. 145.43(f) for turkeys. For both meat-type chickens and

turkeys, the regulations set forth the monitoring, testing, and

management practices that must be conducted by participating

flockowners.

The regulations state that feed fed to participating flocks must

contain either no animal protein or only animal protein products

produced under the Animal Protein Products Industry (APPI) Salmonella

Education/Reduction Program. We are proposing to amend Secs. 145.33(d)

and 145.43(f) to allow the use of fishmeal as an additional protein

source for meat-type chicken breeding flocks and turkey breeding flocks

participating in the ``U.S. Sanitation Monitored'' classification. The

fishmeal products would have to be in the form of pelletized feed,

would have to be produced under the Fishmeal Inspection Program of the

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and would have to meet the

same minimum moisture content and heating criteria that apply to

products produced under the APPI program. We believe that allowing the

use of fishmeal in pelletized feed would provide flockowners with

another option for feeding their flocks, while the proposed inspection,

moisture, and heating criteria would ensure that the feed is safe and

nutritionally sound.

Amendment 5--Salmonella Enteritidis Clean

As mentioned above, owners of meat-type chicken flocks may

participate in the ``U.S. Sanitation Monitored'' classification for

meat-type chickens, which is intended to help flockowners control or

reduce the level of salmonella in their flocks. We are proposing to add

a new classification for flockowners who, through the ``U.S. Sanitation

Monitored'' classification, have eliminated salmonella in their flocks.

The new classification, ``U.S.

S. Enteritidis Clean,'' would be given to primary meat-type chicken

breeding flocks in which all chickens have been shown to be free of

Salmonella enteritidis and in which no S. enteritidis has been detected

for at least the previous 12 months. This classification would be a

means by which the owners of meat-type chicken breeding flocks could

attain official acknowledgment that the chicks produced by their flocks

are certified free of S. enteritidis.

To qualify for the classification, the Official State Agency would

have to determine that a flock and the hatching eggs and chicks

produced by the flock met certain requirements. The proposed

requirements are modeled after those procedures already being used

successfully in the ``U.S. S. Enteritidis Monitored'' classification

for egg-type chickens.

The flock would have to either originate from a ``U.S. S.

Enteritidis Clean'' flock or have been sampled for S. enteritidis by an

authorized laboratory. The sampling would entail the bacteriological

examination of meconium from the chicks and from a sample of chicks

that died within 7 days after hatching. Cultures from group D positive

samples would have to be serotyped.

All feed fed to the flock would have to contain either no animal

protein or only animal protein products produced under the APPI or NMFS

inspection programs mentioned above. The feed would have to meet the

same minimum moisture content and heating criteria that are required

for the ``U.S.

S. Enteritidis Monitored'' and ``U.S. Sanitation Monitored''

classifications in order to destroy disease-producing organisms that

could contaminate the feed and, as in the other classifications, animal

protein supplements in mash feed could come only from crumbled

pelletized feed. Additionally, the feed would have to be stored and

transported in such a manner as to prevent possible contamination.

As with other Plan programs, flocks participating in this proposed

program would have to be maintained in compliance with the flock

sanitation procedures of Sec. 147.21, the cleaning and disinfection

procedures of Sec. 147.24(a), and the procedures in Sec. 147.26 for

establishing isolation and maintaining sanitation and good management

practices for the control of salmonella and mycoplasma infections.

As a means of monitoring the flock's environment for salmonella

organisms, we would require that environmental samples be collected

from the flock after the flock reaches 4 months of age. The

environmental samples would have to be collected by an authorized agent

using the procedures described in Sec. 147.12 of the regulations. The

authorized agent would continue to

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collect samples every 30 days after the first sample had been

collected. The samples would have to be examined bacteriologically for

group D salmonella at an authorized laboratory, and cultures from group

D positive samples would have to be serotyped.

As a means of monitoring the salmonella status of the birds in the

flock, we would require that blood samples from 300 birds be officially

tested with pullorum antigen when the flock is at least 4 months of

age. All birds with positive or inconclusive reactions, up to a maximum

of 25 birds, would have to be submitted to an authorized laboratory and

examined for the presence of group D salmonella according to the

procedures described in Secs. 147.10 and 147.11 of the regulations.

Cultures from group D positive samples would have to be serotyped to

determine the antigenic identity of the organism involved. The 300

birds/25 reactors sampling pattern that would be required is the same

sampling pattern that has been used effectively in other Plan programs

that conduct testing for group D salmonella.

As a means of preventing the transmission of salmonella through

hatching eggs, the established procedures that are used in other Plan

classifications would be required in the proposed ``U.S. S. Enteritidis

Clean'' classification. Specifically, we would require that hatching

eggs be collected from the flock as quickly as possible, handled in

accordance with the established sanitation procedures described in

Sec. 147.22 of the regulations, and sanitized or fumigated in

accordance with Sec. 147.25 of the regulations. The hatching eggs would

have to be incubated in a hatchery that is in compliance with the

recommendations in Secs. 147.23 and 147.24(b) and that has been

sanitized by fumigation or by a procedure approved by the Official

State Agency.

If Salmonella enteritidis serotype Enteritidis (SE) was isolated

from a specimen taken from a bird in the flock, the flock would not be

eligible for the classification.

If SE was isolated from an environmental specimen, a random sample

of 25 live birds from the flock would have to be bacteriologically

examined for SE using the procedures described in Sec. 147.11 of the

regulations. If only one bird from that 25-bird sample was found

positive for SE, the participant would be able to request that a second

25-bird sample be bacteriologically examined for SE; if no SE was

recovered from any of the specimens in the second sample, the flock

would be eligible for the classification.

If SE had been isolated from an environmental sample, we would also

require 300 birds from the flock to be blood tested with a pullorum

antigen every 30 days, with no positive samples found. This blood

testing routine would be necessary to ensure that the SE found in the

environment was not due to the presence of SE in the flock.

We are also proposing to require that, in order for a hatchery to

sell products of the ``U.S. S. Enteritidis Clean'' classification, all

products handled by the hatchery would have to meet the requirements of

the classification. The proposed new section would end with a statement

indicating that the ``U.S. S. Enteritidis Clean'' classification could

be revoked by the Official State Agency if a participant failed to

follow recommended corrective measures.

Amendment 6--Mycoplasma Synoviae Clean State, Turkeys

We are proposing to add a new Sec. 145.44(d) to establish a new

``U.S. M. Synoviae Clean State'' classification for turkeys. This

proposed new classification would be given to qualifying States in

which all turkey flocks have been shown to be free of Mycoplasma

synoviae and in which no M. synoviae has been detected in turkey flocks

for at least the previous 12 months.

For a State to qualify for this proposed new classification, all

turkey breeding flocks in production in the State would have to qualify

as ``U.S. M. Synoviae Clean'' or its equivalent, and all turkey

hatcheries within the State would have to handle only products that are

classified as ``U.S. M. Synoviae Clean'' or its equivalent.

Additionally, all shipments of products from turkey breeding flocks

other than those classified as ``U.S. M. Synoviae Clean'' or its

equivalent into the State would be prohibited.

All persons performing poultry disease diagnostic services within

the State would be required to report to the Official State Agency

within 48 hours the source of all turkey specimens that are identified

as being infected with M. synoviae; such reports would have to be

followed by an investigation by the Official State Agency to determine

the origin of the infection. Any turkey breeding flock found to be

infected with M. synoviae would have to be quarantined until marketed

under supervision of the Official State Agency.

If a State no longer met any of the above conditions, or if

repeated outbreaks of M. synoviae occurred in turkey breeding flocks,

or if an infection spread from the premises on which it originated,

APHIS would have grounds to revoke its determination that the State was

entitled to the classification. Such action would not be taken until

APHIS had conducted a thorough investigation and the Official State

Agency had been given an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with

the rules of practice adopted by the Administrator of the Service.

Amendment 7--Paperwork

Section 145.52, ``Participation,'' contains statements regarding

compliance with the general and specific provisions of the Plan by

participating flocks of waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game birds.

As a means of reducing the paperwork burden on certain Plan

participants, we are proposing to add a provision that would allow

waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game bird breeding flock hatcheries

to report poultry sales to importing States by using printouts of

computerized monthly shipping and receiving reports in lieu of VS Form

9-3, ``Report of Sales of Hatching Eggs, Chicks, and Poults.'' To

ensure that a particular flockowner's computerized shipping and

receiving reports contained the comparable information to the VS Form

9-3, the use of printouts in lieu of the VS Form 9-3 would be subject

to the approval of APHIS and the Official State Agencies in the

importing and exporting States.

Amendment 8--Serum Plate Samples

Section 147.6 contains procedures for determining the status of

flocks reacting to tests for Mycoplasma gallisepticum, M. synoviae, and

M. meleagridis. Section 147.6(b) states that if a laboratory

examination or a supplemental serological test for mycoplasma is

positive, the flock from which the samples were taken will be

considered suspicious and further testing must be conducted using the

tube agglutination or the serum plate test. If the tube agglutination

test or the serum plate test is positive, the samples must then be

subjected to the HI or the SPD test.

When a large percentage of the samples from a flock are positive on

the initial tube agglutination or serum plate test, the subsequent HI

or SPD testing can be time-consuming and expensive. We are, therefore,

proposing to amend Sec. 147.6 to establish a maximum number of positive

samples for Mycoplasma gallisepticum, M. synoviae, or both, that would

have to be examined using the HI and/or SPD tests. Specifically, when

the number of positive samples exceeds 50 percent of the total number

of samples

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taken from a flock, we would require that 10 percent of the positive

samples or 25 of the positive samples (whichever is greater) be tested

using the HI or SPD tests. We believe that testing at least 10 percent

of all positive samples from a flock in lieu of testing all the

positive samples would reduce the amount of time and money spent by

flockowners on HI and SPD testing while ensuring that a sufficient

number of samples are tested to accurately determine the M.

gallisepticum or M. synoviae status of a flock.

When this particular proposal was voted upon at the 1994 Plan

conference, the delegates of turkey industry elected to remove turkeys

from consideration for this particular proposal. Therefore, the

proposed amendment discussed above would apply only to egg-type and

meat-type chicken flocks and waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game

bird flocks.

Amendment 9--Colony Lift Assay

Section 147.11 contains the recommended laboratory procedures for

the bacteriological examination of salmonella reactors. Paragraph (a)

of Sec. 147.11 contains the procedures that are used for examining

reactors from egg-type and meat-type chicken and waterfowl, exhibition

poultry, and game bird flocks.

When using enrichment culture for examining salmonella reactors, as

described in Sec. 147.11(a)(2), it can be difficult to detect group D

salmonella on a standard colony pick to triple sugar-iron and lysine-

iron agar slants. Therefore, we are proposing to amend Sec. 147.11(a)

to allow the use of a colony lift assay as a supplemental screening

test to aid in the detection of group D salmonella suspect colonies on

selective and nonselective agar culture plates. This proposed change

would also entail amending illustration 2 of Sec. 147.11(a), which is a

flow diagram that represents the process detailed in Sec. 147.11(a)(2)

through (6). The illustration would be amended to indicate that the use

of a colony lift assay is allowed and that a participant using a colony

lift assay should follow the instructions provided with the assay for

confirming positive and negative samples. We believe that allowing the

use of a supplemental colony lift assay would make available a valuable

tool for detecting the presence of group D salmonella.

Amendment 10--Collecting Samples for Bacteriological Examination

Section 147.12 contains the procedures for collecting environmental

samples and cloacal swabs for bacteriological examination under the

Plan's ``U.S. S. Enteritidis Monitored'' and ``U.S. Sanitation

Monitored'' classifications. We are proposing to amend Sec. 147.12 by

modifying those procedures as they apply to egg-type and meat-type

chickens and waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game birds. (During the

1992 Plan conference, representatives of the turkey industry elected to

remove turkeys from consideration for this particular proposal. Because

some of the techniques in the proposed new procedures would not apply

to the collection of samples from turkeys, the existing provisions of

Sec. 147.12 would be retained for use with turkeys only.)

The proposed new procedures provide more detailed instructions for

assembling drag swab sets, impregnating the drag swab sets with double-

strength skim milk, sampling floor litter and nest boxes, and sealing,

storing, and culturing the used drag swab sets. We believe that these

proposed new procedures would help prevent the spread of salmonella in

egg-type chicken, meat-type chicken, and waterfowl, exhibition poultry,

and game bird flocks by decreasing the likelihood of false negatives on

flock screening tests and reducing the amount of time required for

laboratory diagnoses.

Amendment 11--Bacteriological Examination of Baby Chicks

We are proposing to add a new Sec. 147.17, which would provide a

laboratory protocol for the bacteriological examination of baby chicks.

The proposed procedure would be recommended as a means of

bacteriologically examining cull chicks from egg-type and meat-type

chicken flocks and waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game bird flocks

for salmonella. The proposed new section would provide detailed

instructions for preparing organ, yolk, and intestinal pools,

transferring the pools to an enrichment broth, and culturing the pools

to detect the presence of salmonella. By adding a protocol for the

bacteriological examination of baby chicks, we would provide Plan

participants with another means of screening egg-type and meat-type

chicken flocks and waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game bird flocks

for salmonella.

Amendment 12--General Conference Committee

Section 147.43 of the regulations contains provisions regarding the

composition, duties, and functions of the Plan's General Conference

Committee (GCC). We are proposing to amend Sec. 147.43(a) by removing

provisions that make the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for

Marketing and Inspection Services a permanent member of the GCC and the

elected member-at-large the vice chairperson of the committee. In place

of those permanent assignments, the chairperson and vice chairperson of

the GCC would be elected by the GCC from among its members. The only

permanent seat on the GCC would be that of an APHIS representative who

would serve as the committee's executive secretary and would provide

the necessary staff support for the GCC.

Miscellaneous

We are also proposing to amend several other sections of the

regulations to reflect the proposed changes discussed above or to

reflect a change made in a previously published final rule.

We would add two new illustrative designs to Sec. 145.10 to reflect

the proposed addition of the ``U.S. S. Enteritidis Clean'' and ``U.S.

M. Synoviae Clean State, Turkeys'' classifications discussed above. We

would also amend two of the illustrative designs already in

Sec. 145.10--those for the ``U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State'' and

``U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State, Turkeys'' classifications--to

remove outdated references to the Agricultural Research Service, which

formerly administered the provisions of the Plan.

As mentioned above, the regulations in subpart B of 9 CFR part 82

require that no hatching eggs or newly hatched chicks from egg-type

chicken breeding flocks may be moved interstate unless they are

classified ``U.S. Sanitation Monitored'' under the Plan or they meet

the requirements of an equivalent State classification plan. In a final

rule published in the Federal Register on March 18, 1994 (59 FR 12795-

12805, Docket No. 92-151-2), and effective April 18, 1994, the title of

the ``U.S. Sanitation Monitored'' classification as it applies to egg-

type chickens was changed to ``U.S. S. Enteritidis Monitored.'' Two

references to that classification are made in part 82, one in the

definition of Certified Salmonella enteritidis serotype enteritidis

Tested Free Flocks in Sec. 82.30 and the other in the text of

Sec. 82.34. Those references should have been amended as part of the

March 1994 final rule to reflect the name change, but were overlooked.

Section 147.26 contains the procedures for establishing and

maintaining sanitation and good management practices for the control of

salmonella and mycoplasma infections. Paragraph (a) of that section

contains a

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list of Plan classifications in which participants are required to

observe those practices; we would amend that list by adding references

to the proposed new ``U.S. S. Enteritidis Clean'' and ``U.S. M.

Synoviae Clean State, Turkeys'' classifications discussed above and the

``U.S. S. Enteritidis Monitored'' classification from the March 1994

final rule.

Finally, we would amend two footnotes in part 147 to reflect the

new address of the National Poultry Improvement Plan staff.

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866.

The rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of

Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the

Office of Management and Budget.

The proposed changes contained in this document are based on the

recommendations of representatives of member States, hatcheries,

dealers, flockowners, and breeders who took part in the Plan's 30th and

31st Biennial Conferences. The proposed changes would keep the

provisions of the Plan current with changes in the poultry industry,

reduce paperwork requirements for some Plan participants, establish new

program classifications, and allow the use of new sampling and

laboratory procedures.

The Plan serves as a ``seal of approval'' for egg and poultry

producers in the sense that tests and procedures recommended by the

Plan are considered optimal for the industry. Several of the

recommendations in this proposed rule, such as the serological sampling

of male meat-type birds for pullorum-typhoid and the use of fishmeal as

a protein source, are already practiced by the industry. Other proposed

changes, such as the addition of a laboratory protocol for the

bacteriological examination of baby chicks, provide guidelines for

practices that may not currently be in use but are recognized as being

potentially beneficial for the industry. In all cases, the proposed

changes have been generated by the industry itself with the goal of

reducing disease risk and increasing product marketability.

Because participation in the Plan is voluntary, individuals are

likely to remain in the program as long as the costs of implementing

the program are lower than the added benefits they receive from the

program.

The only proposed change in this document that could entail

additional costs for some producers is the proposed creation of the

``U.S. S. Enteritidis Clean'' classification for primary meat-type

chicken breeding flocks. However, we expect that any additional costs

associated with the new classification would be slight in comparison to

the expected increase in U.S. poultry exports, particularly to

countries that require strict Salmonella enteritidis testing of

poultry.

Under these circumstances, the Administrator of the Animal and

Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that this action would

not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small

entities.

Executive Order 12372

This program/activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance under No. 10.025 and is subject to Executive Order 12372,

which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local

officials. (See 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V.)

Executive Order 12778

This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778,

Civil Justice Reform. If this proposed rule is adopted: (1) All State

and local laws and regulations that are in conflict with this rule will

be preempted; (2) no retroactive effect will be given to this rule; and

(3) administrative proceedings will not be required before parties may

file suit in court challenging this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C.

3501 et seq.), the information collection or recordkeeping requirements

included in this proposed rule will be submitted for approval to the

Office of Management and Budget. Please send written comments to the

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk

Officer for APHIS, Washington, DC 20503. Please send a copy of your

comments to (1) Docket No. 94-091-1, Regulatory Analysis and

Development, PPD, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Suite 3C03,

Riverdale, MD 20737-1238 and (2) Clearance Officer, OIRM, USDA, room

404-W, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250.

List of Subjects

9 CFR Part 82

Animal diseases, Poultry and poultry products, Quarantine,

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

9 CFR Parts 145 and 147

Animal diseases, Poultry and poultry products, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements.

Accordingly, we propose to amend 9 CFR parts 82, 145, and 147 as

follows:

PART 82--EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN ALL BIRDS AND POULTRY:

PSITTACOSIS AND ORNITHOSIS IN POULTRY: POULTRY DISEASE CAUSED BY

SALMONELLA ENTERITIDIS SEROTYPE ENTERITIDIS

1. The authority citation for part 82 would continue to read as

follows:

Authority: 21 U.S.C. 111-113, 115, 117, 120, 123-126, 134a,

134b, and 134f; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.51, and 371.2(d).

Sec. 82.30 [Amended]

2. In Sec. 82.30, in the definition of certified Salmonella

enteritidis serotype enteritidis tested free flocks, the words

``Sanitation Monitored'' would be removed and the words ``S.

Enteritidis Monitored'' added in their place.

Sec. 82.34 [Amended]

3. In Sec. 82.34, the words ``Sanitation Monitored'' would be

removed and the words ``S. Enteritidis Monitored'' added in their

place.

PART 145--NATIONAL POULTRY IMPROVEMENT PLAN

4. The authority citation for part 145 would continue to read as

follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 429; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.51, and 371.2(d).

5. In Sec. 145.10, in paragraph (g), figure 8, and in paragraph

(h), figure 9, the illustrative designs for ``U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid

Clean State'' and ``U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State, Turkeys'' would

be amended by removing the words ``AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE'' in

each design, and new paragraphs (m) and (n) would be added to read as

set forth below.

Sec. 145.10 Terminology and classification; flocks, products, and

States.

* * * * *

(m) U.S. S. Enteritidis Clean. (See Sec. 145.33(h).)

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

[[Page 35349]]

[GRAPHIC][TIFF OMITTED]TP07JY95.000

(n) U.S. M. Synoviae Clean State, Turkeys. (See Sec. 145.44(d).)

[GRAPHIC][TIFF OMITTED]TP07JY95.001

BILLING CODE 3410-10-C

6. In Sec. 145.14, the introductory text would be amended by adding

a new sentence immediately before the last sentence and by revising the

last sentence to read as follows:

Sec. 145.14 Blood testing.

* * * The representative sample of birds from meat-type chicken,

waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game bird flocks must contain a

representative percentage of males and females in the flock. In houses

containing fewer than 30 birds, all birds in the house must be tested.

* * * * *

Sec. 145.23 [Amended]

7. Section 145.23 would be amended as follows:

a. Paragraph (c)(1)(i) would be amended by removing the words

``with the approval of the Official State Agency and the concurrence of

the Service, provided that a minimum'' and adding the words ``provided

that all pens are equally represented and a total'' in their place.

b. Paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A) would be amended by removing the words

``, with a minimum of 30 birds per pen, whichever is greater,'' and by

adding the words ``, Provided, that a sample of fewer than 75 birds may

be tested at any one time if all pens are equally represented and a

total of at least 75 birds is tested within each 90-day period''

immediately before the semicolon.

c. In paragraph (d)(1)(vii), the first sentence would be amended by

adding the word ``either'' immediately after the word ``with'' and by

adding the words ``or by a federally licensed Salmonella enteritidis

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test'' immediately after the

word ``antigen''.

d. Paragraph (e)(1)(i) would be amended by removing the words ``,

with the approval of the Official State Agency and the concurrence of

the Service, provided that a minimum'' and adding the words ``if all

pens are equally represented and a total'' in their place.

e. Paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A) would be amended by removing the number

``50'' each time it appears and adding the

[[Page 35350]]

number ``75'' in its place, and by removing the words ``provided that a

minimum of 30 birds per flock with a minimum of 15 birds per pen,

whichever is greater, is tested each time'' and adding the words ``if

all pens are equally represented'' in their place.

8. Section 145.33 would be amended as follows:

a. Paragraph (c)(1)(i) would be amended by removing the words

``with the approval of the Official State Agency and the concurrence of

the Service, provided that a minimum'' and adding the words ``provided

that all pens are equally represented and a total'' in their place.

b. Paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A) would be amended by removing the words

``, with a minimum of 30 birds per pen, whichever is greater'' and by

adding the words ``, Provided, that a sample of fewer than 75 birds may

be tested at any one time if all pens are equally represented and a

total of at least 75 birds is tested within each 90-day period''

immediately before the semicolon.

c. In paragraph (d)(1)(iii), the first sentence would be amended by

adding the words ``or the Fishmeal Inspection Program of the National

Marine Fisheries Service'' immediately before the period.

d. Paragraph (d)(1)(iv) would be amended by adding the words ``or

the Fishmeal Inspection Program of the National Marine Fisheries

Service'' immediately before the semicolon.

e. Paragraph (e)(1)(i) would be amended by removing the words ``,

with the approval of the Official State Agency and the concurrence of

the Service, provided that a minimum'' and adding the words ``if all

pens are equally represented and a total'' in their place.

f. Paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A) would be amended by removing the number

``50'' each time it appears and by adding the number ``75'' in its

place, and by removing the words ``provided that a minimum of 30 birds

per flock with a minimum of 15 birds per pen, whichever is greater, is

tested each time'' and adding the words ``if all pens are equally

represented'' in their place.

g. A new paragraph (h) would be added to read as set forth below.

Sec. 145.33 Terminology and classification; flocks and products.

* * * * *

(h) U.S. S. Enteritidis Clean. This classification is intended for

primary meat-type breeders wishing to assure their customers that the

chicks produced are certified free of Salmonella enteritidis.

(1) A flock and the hatching eggs and chicks produced from it shall

be eligible for this classification if they meet the following

requirements, as determined by the Official State Agency:

(i) The flock originated from a U.S. S. Enteritidis Clean flock, or

meconium from the chicks and a sample of chicks that died within 7 days

after hatching have been examined bacteriologically for S. enteritidis

at an authorized laboratory and any group D salmonella samples have

been serotyped.

(ii) All feed fed to the flock meets the following requirements:

(A) Pelletized feed contains either no animal protein or only

animal protein products produced under the Animal Protein Products

Industry (APPI) Salmonella Education/Reduction Program or the Fishmeal

Inspection Program of the National Marine Fisheries Service. The

protein products must have a minimum moisture content of 14.5 percent

and must have been heated throughout to a minimum temperature of 190

deg.F, or to a minimum temperature of 165 deg.F for at least 20

minutes, or to a minimum temperature of 184 deg.F under 70 lbs.

pressure during the manufacturing process;

(B) Mash feed contains either no animal protein or only animal

protein product supplements manufactured in pellet form and crumbled;

and

(C) All feed is stored and transported in such a manner as to

prevent possible contamination.

(iii) The flock is maintained in compliance with Secs. 147.21,

147.24(a), and 147.26 of this chapter.

(iv) Environmental samples, as described in Sec. 147.12 of this

chapter, are collected from the flock by an Authorized Agent when the

flock reaches 4 months of age and every 30 days thereafter. The

environmental samples shall be examined bacteriologically for group D

salmonella at an authorized laboratory, and cultures from group D

positive samples shall be serotyped.

(v) Blood samples from 300 birds are officially tested with

pullorum antigen when the flock is at least 4 months of age. All birds

with positive or inconclusive reactions, up to a maximum of 25 birds,

shall be submitted to an authorized laboratory and examined for the

presence of group D salmonella in accordance with Secs. 147.10 and

147.11 of this chapter. Cultures from group D positive samples shall be

serotyped.

(vi) Hatching eggs are collected as quickly as possible, are

handled as described in Sec. 147.22 of this chapter, and are sanitized

or fumigated in accordance with Sec. 147.25 of this chapter.

(vii) Hatching eggs produced by the flock are incubated in a

hatchery that is in compliance with the recommendations in Secs. 147.23

and 147.24(b) of this chapter, and the hatchery must have been

sanitized either by a procedure approved by the Official State Agency

or by fumigation conducted in accordance with Sec. 147.25 of this

chapter.

(2) A flock shall not be eligible for this classification if

Salmonella enteritidis serotype Enteritidis (SE) is isolated from a

specimen taken from a bird in the flock. If SE is isolated from an

environmental sample collected from the flock in accordance with in

paragraph (h)(1)(iv) of this section, a random sample of 25 live birds

must be bacteriologically examined for SE as described in Sec. 147.11

of this chapter. If only one bird from the 25-bird sample is found

positive for SE, the participant may request bacteriological

examination of a second 25-bird sample from the flock. If no SE is

recovered from any of the specimens in the second sample, the flock

will be eligible for the classification.

(3) If Salmonella enteritidis serotype Enteritidis (SE) has been

isolated from an environmental sample collected from the flock in

accordance with paragraph (h)(1)(iv) of this section, the flock may

remain eligible for this classification if blood testing is conducted

in accordance with paragraph (h)(1)(v) of this section each 30 days and

no positive samples are found.

(4) In order for a hatchery to sell products of this

classification, all products handled by the hatchery must meet the

requirements of the classification.

(5) This classification may be revoked by the Official State Agency

if the participant fails to follow recommended corrective measures.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control

number 0579-0007)

Sec. 145.43 [Amended]

9. In Sec. 145.43, paragraph (f)(3)(ii) would be amended by adding

the words ``or the Fishmeal Inspection Program of the National Marine

Fisheries Service'' immediately before the period.

10. In Sec. 145.44, a new paragraph (d) would be added to read as

follows:

Sec. 145.44 Terminology and classification; States.

* * * * *

(d) U.S. M. Synoviae Clean State, Turkeys. (1) A State will be

declared a U.S. M. Synoviae Clean State, Turkeys,

[[Page 35351]]

when it has been determined by the Service that:

(i) No Mycoplasma synoviae is known to exist nor to have existed in

turkey breeding flocks in production within the State during the

preceding 12 months;

(ii) All turkey breeding flocks in production are tested and

classified as U.S. M. Synoviae Clean or have met equivalent

requirements for M. synoviae control under official supervision;

(iii) All turkey hatcheries within the State only handle products

that are classified as U.S. M. Synoviae Clean or have met equivalent

requirements for M. synoviae control under official supervision;

(iv) All shipments of products from turkey breeding flocks other

than those classified as U.S. M. Synoviae Clean, or equivalent, into

the State are prohibited;

(v) All persons performing poultry disease diagnostic services

within the State are required to report to the Official State Agency

within 48 hours the source of all turkey specimens that have been

identified as being infected with M. synoviae;

(vi) All reports of M. synoviae infection in turkeys are promptly

followed by an investigation by the Official State Agency to determine

the origin of the infection; and

(vii) All turkey breeding flocks found to be infected with M.

synoviae are quarantined until marketed under supervision of the

Official State Agency.

(2) The Service shall have grounds to revoke its determination that

the State is entitled to this classification if any of the conditions

described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section are discontinued; if

repeated outbreaks of M. synoviae occur in turkey breeding flocks

described in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section; or if an infection

spreads from the originating premises. The Service shall not take such

an action until it has conducted a thorough investigation and the

Official State Agency has been given an opportunity for a hearing in

accordance with rules of practice adopted by the Administrator of the

Service.

11. In Sec. 145.52, a new paragraph (c) would be added to read as

follows:

Sec. 145.52 Participation.

* * * * *

(c) Subject to the approval of the Service and the Official State

Agencies in the importing and exporting States, participating flocks

may report poultry sales to importing States by using printouts of

computerized monthly shipping and receiving reports in lieu of VS Form

9-3, ``Report of Sales of Hatching Eggs, Chicks, and Poults.''

PART 147--AUXILIARY PROVISIONS ON NATIONAL POULTRY IMPROVEMENT PLAN

12. The authority citation for part 147 would continue to read as

follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 429; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.51, and 371.2(d).

Sec. 147.5 [Amended]

13. In Sec. 147.5, footnote 4 would be amended by removing the

words ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary

Services, Operational Support, 4700 River Road Unit 33, Riverdale,

Maryland 20737-1231'' and adding the words ``National Poultry

Improvement Plan, Veterinary Services, APHIS, USDA, 1500 Klondike Road,

Suite A-102, Conyer, GA 30207'' in their place.

14. Section 147.6 would be amended as follows:

a. In Sec. 147.6, paragraph (b)(2) would be amended by adding two

new sentences at the end of the paragraph to read as set forth below.

b. In paragraph (b)(8), the words ``on the retest'' would be added

immediately after the word ``positive''.

Sec. 147.6 Procedure for determining the status of flocks reacting to

tests for Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, and Mycoplasma

meleagridis.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(2) * * * Provided, that for egg-type and meat-type chicken and

waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game bird flocks, if more than 50

percent of the samples are positive for either Mycoplasma

gallisepticum, M. synoviae, or both, the HI and/or the SPD test shall

be conducted on 10 percent of the positive samples or 25 positive

samples, whichever is greater. The results of the HI and/or SPD tests

must be followed by the action prescribed in paragraphs (b)(3), (b)(4),

and (b)(5) of this section.

* * * * *

15. Section 147.11 would be amended as follows:

a. Paragraph (a)(3) would be amended by adding a new sentence at

the end of the paragraph to read as set forth below.

b. In paragraph (a)(4), the last sentence would be amended by

adding the words ``and paragraph (a)(5) of this section'' immediately

after the words ``illustration 2'', and by adding the words ``, and a

colony lift assay to aid in the detection of group D salmonella

colonies'' immediately after the word ``XLT4''.

c. Paragraph (a)(5) would be revised as set forth below.

d. At the end of paragraph (a)(6), in illustration 2, in the

leftmost box in the second row, the words ``Evaluation by rapid

detection systems (antigen capture, gene probe, etc.)'' would be

removed and the words ``Evaluate by rapid detection systems (antigen

capture, gene probe, colony lift assay, etc.). Follow instructions for

confirmation of positives and negatives.'' would be added in their

place.

Sec. 147.11 Laboratory procedure recommended for the bacteriological

examination of salmonella.

(a) * * *

(3) * * * As a supplemental procedure, a colony lift assay may also

be used as a screening test to aid in the detection of group D

salmonella suspect colonies on selective and nonselective agar culture

plates, if desired.

* * * * *

(5) As a supplement to the standard colony pick to triple sugar-

iron (TSI) and lysine-iron (LI) agar slants, a group D colony lift

assay may be utilized to signal the presence of hard-to-detect group D

salmonella colonies on agar culture plates. A system such as the

Analytical Profile Index for Enterobacteriaceae (API) may also be

utilized to aid cultural identifications.

* * * * *

Secs. 147.12, 147.14, 147.15, and 147.16 [Amended]

16. In Secs. 147.12, 147.14, 147.15, and 147.16, footnotes 11

through 21 and their references would be redesignated as footnotes 12

through 22.

17. Section 147.12 would be amended as follows:

a. Paragraphs (a) through (c) would be redesignated as follows:

Old section:

147.12(a), introductory text

147.12(a)(1)

147.12(a)(2)

147.12(b), introductory text

147.12(b)(1)

147.12(c), introductory text

147.12(c)(1)

147.12(c)(2)

147.12(c)(2)(i)

147.12(c)(2)(ii)

New section:

147.12(b)(1)

147.12(b)(1)(i)

147.12(b)(1)(ii)

147.12(b)(2)

147.12(b)(2)(i)

147.12(b)(3)

147.12(b)(3)(i)

147.12(b)(3)(ii)

147.12(b)(3)(ii)(A)

147.12(b)(3)(ii)(B)

b. A new paragraph (a) and an introductory paragraph (b) would be

added to read as set forth below.

[[Page 35352]]

c. In newly redesignated paragraph (b)(1), the introductory text of

the paragraph would be amended by removing the reference ``(a) (1) or

(2)'' and replacing it with the reference ``(b)(1)(i) or (b)(1)(ii)''.

d. In newly redesignated paragraph (b)(2), the introductory text of

the paragraph would be amended by removing the reference ``(a)(1)'' and

replacing it with the reference ``(b)(2)(i)''.

e. In newly redesignated paragraph (b)(3)(ii), the text of newly

redesignated footnote 12 would be amended by removing the words

``Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services,

National Center for Import-Export, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale,

Maryland 20737-1231'' and adding the words ``National Poultry

Improvement Plan, Veterinary Services, APHIS, USDA, 1500 Klondike Road,

Suite A-102, Conyer, GA 30207'' in their place.

Sec. 147.12 Procedures for collecting environmental samples and

cloacal swabs for bacteriological examination.

* * * * *

(a) For egg- and meat-type chickens, waterfowl, exhibition poultry,

and game birds. All samples and swabs described in this paragraph shall

be cultured in accordance with illustration 2 of Sec. 147.11, including

delayed secondary enrichment. All salmonellae recovered shall be

serogrouped or serotyped.

(1) Environmental samples. Fecal material, litter, dust, or floor

litter surface or nest box drag swab samples to be submitted for

bacteriological examination shall be collected in accordance with the

procedures described in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this

section:

(i) Procedure for sampling in broth. Authorized laboratories will

provide capped tubes 1 to 2 cm in diameter and 15 to 20 cm in length

that are two-thirds full of a recently made, refrigerated, sterile

enrichment broth (Hajna or Mueller-Kauffmann Tetrathionate Brilliant

Green) for each sample. Sufficient tubes shall be taken to the premises

to provide at least one tube per pen or one tube per 500 birds,

whichever is greater. At least one sterile, cotton-tipped applicator

will be needed for each tube. The dry applicator is first placed in or

drawn through fresh manure (under roost, near water troughs, fecal

droppings, or diarrhetic droppings). After this and each subsequent

streaking, place the cotton-tipped applicator in the tube of broth and

swirl the applicator to remove the collected material. Withdraw the

applicator from the tube and use it to take additional specimens by

streaking on or through areas where defecation, trampling of feces, or

settling of dust is common; e.g., on or near waterers, feeders, nests,

or rafters, etc. When the volume of material collected equals

approximately 10 percent of the volume of the broth (usually 10-12

streakings), place the applicator in the tube and break the stick in

half, leaving the lower or cotton-tipped half in the broth and

retaining the upper half for future disposal. Replace the cap on the

inoculated tube and continue the sampling procedure in other areas of

the pen.

(ii) Procedure for sampling in dry containers. Place a sample of

fecal material, litter, or dust in a sterile, sealable container. The

sample shall consist of several specimens of material taken from a

representative location in the pen or house. Collect at least 10 g

(approximately a heaping tablespoonful) of material for each sample.

Collect the specimens in each sample with a sterile tongue depressor or

similar uncontaminated instrument. The samples shall vary in type and

consistency. Half of the samples shall be comprised of material

representing defecated matter from a large portion of the flock; i.e.,

trampled, caked material near waterers and feeders. The minimum number

of samples to be taken shall be determined by the following: Five

samples from pens or houses of up to 500 birds; Ten samples from pens

or houses of 500 to 2,500 birds; Fifteen samples from pens or houses

with more than 2,500 birds. The composite samples above may be pooled

to not fewer than five samples at the laboratory as long as the volume

of material collected equals approximately 10 percent of the volume of

the broth.

(2) Cloacal swabs. Cloacal swabs for bacteriological examination

shall be taken from each bird in the flock or from a minimum of 500

birds in accordance with the procedure described in paragraph (a)(2)(i)

of this section.

(i) Procedure for taking cloacal swabs. The authorized laboratory

will provide sterile capped tubes or other suitable containers and

cotton-tipped applicators for use in taking the cloacal swabs. Insert

the cotton-tipped applicator into the cloaca and rectum in such a

manner as to ensure the collection of fecal material. Place the swab

and adhering fecal material in the tube and break the stick in half,

keeping the upper half of the stick for future disposal. The cloacal

swabs may be combined in the sterile tubes in multiples of five or in

combinations specified by the authorized laboratory.

(3) Drag-swabs. Utilization of drag swabs (DS) involves the

exposure of gauze pads, a key component of a DS sampler, to the surface

of random, flock-representative floor litter and nest box areas. The

sampler pads shall be sterile and slightly moist to promote adherence

of particulate material, and impregnated with double-strength skim milk

11 to protect salmonella viability during sample collection,

batching, storage, and shipment. Floor litter surface DS sample results

tend to reflect the salmonella carrier/shedder status of a flock.

Nonetheless, other environmental samples as described in paragraphs

(a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), or (a)(3)(iv) of this section shall also be

periodically collected.

\11\ Obtain procedure for preparing double strength skim milk

from USDA-APHIS ``Recommended Sample Collection Methods for

Environmental Samples,'' available from the National Poultry

Improvement Plan, Veterinary Services, APHIS, USDA, 1500 Klondike

Road, Suite A-102, Conyer, GA 30207.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(i) Drag-swab sampler assembly. Drag-swab (DS) samplers may be

assembled using two 3- by-3-inch sterile gauze pads; size 20 wrapping

twine; and paper clips, staples, or similar fasteners. Fold each gauze

pad in half and attach one pad to a 2-foot-long (60 cm) piece of twine

and the other to a 1-foot-long (30 cm) piece of twine. To attach a pad

to the twine with a paper clip, bend the end wires of the paper clip

slightly and push them through the fabric of the folded pad, thus

securing the clips to the folded pads; then securely tie the twine to

the free rounded end of the paper clip. To attach a pad to the twine

with a staple, staple the twine to the pad near the center of the fold,

applying the staple at a right angle to the twine and parallel to the

fold. (A pre-tied knot in the free end of the twine will prevent the

twine from slipping under the staple during use.) Once the pads and the

twine have been attached, securely connect the free ends of both

lengths of twine to a small loop tied at the end of a 5-foot-long piece

of twine. The resulting assembly resembles the letter Y, with a long

vertical stem and two diagonal branches of different lengths with a

gauze pad securely attached to the end of each branch. Wrap the twine

around each two-pad DS sampler to produce a small bundle. Autoclave the

assembled DS sampler bundle and transfer it with sterile forceps or

other aseptic method to a resealable sterile bag. Aseptically add 15 mL

of double-strength skim milk to the bag and massage the milk into the

gauze pads. Seal the bags and store at -20 deg.C.

(ii) Procedures and applications for DS samplers. DS samplers shall

be

[[Page 35353]]

completely thawed prior to use. Complete pad/twine/fastener assemblies

shall be used to sample floor litter surfaces; nest box surfaces may be

sampled using 3- by-3-inch sterile gauze pads impregnated with double-

strength skim milk as described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. In

either instance, the Plan participant collecting the samples shall wear

a fresh pair of disposable sterile gloves for each flock or house

sampled. Each sampler bag shall be marked with the type of sample

(floor litter or nest box surface) and the identity of the house or

flock from which the sample was taken.

(iii) Floor litter sampling technique. For flocks with fewer than

500 breeders, at least one DS set (two DS pads) shall be dragged across

the floor litter surface for a minimum of 15 minutes. For flocks with

500 or more breeders, a minimum of two DS sets (four DS pads) shall be

dragged across the floor litter surface for a minimum of 15 minutes per

DS set. Upon completion of dragging, lower each DS pad by its attached

twine into a separate, resealable sterile bag. Alternatively, each DS

set of two pads may be lowered by its attached twine into the storage/

transport bag from which the DS set was originally taken. Remove the

twine from the pad or DS set by grasping the pad or DS set through the

sides of the bag with one hand while pulling on the twine with the

other hand until the connection is broken. Seal the bags and promptly

refrigerate them to between 2 and 4 deg.C. Do not freeze. Discard the

twine in an appropriate disposal bag.

(iv) Nest box sampling technique. The Plan participant shall

collect nest-box samples by using two 3-by-3-inch sterile gauze pads

premoistened with double-strength skim milk and wiping the pads over

assorted locations in about 10 percent of the total nesting area. Upon

completion, place each pad in a separate, resealable sterile bag. Seal

the bags and promptly refrigerate them to between 2 and 4 deg.C. Do

not freeze.

(v) Culturing of litter surface and nest box samples. When

refrigerated to between 2 and 4 deg.C, pads impregnated with double-

strength skim milk may be stored or batched for 5 to 7 days prior to

culturing. Pads shipped singly or paired in a single bag shall not be

pooled for culturing but shall be separately inoculated into 60 mL of

selective enrichment broth.

(b) For turkeys. * * *

* * * * *

Sec. 147.14 [Amended]

18. In Sec. 147.14, paragraph (a)(2)(ii) would be amended by

removing the word ``and''; by adding the words ``, and colony lift

assays'' immediately after the word ``procedures''; and by adding the

words ``and paragraph (a)(5)'' immediately after the words

``illustration 2''.

19. In part 147, Subpart B--Bacteriological Examination Procedure,

a new Sec. 147.17 would be added to read as follows:

Sec. 147.17 Laboratory procedure recommended for the bacteriological

examination of cull chicks for salmonella.

The laboratory procedure described in this section is recommended

for the bacteriological examination of cull chicks from egg-type and

meat-type chicken flocks and waterfowl, exhibition poultry, and game

bird flocks for salmonella.

(a) From 25 randomly selected 1- to 5-day-old chicks, prepare 5

organ pools, 5 yolk pools, and 5 intestinal tissue pools as follows:

(1) Organ pool: From each of five chicks, composite and mince 1- to

2-gram samples of heart, lung, liver, and spleen tissues and the

proximal wall of the bursa of Fabricus.

(2) Yolk pool: From each of five chicks, composite and mince 1- to

2-gram samples of the unabsorbed yolk sac or, if the yolk sac is

essentially absent, the entire yolk stalk remnant.

(3) Intestinal pool: From each of five chicks, composite and mince

approximately 0.5 cm\2\ sections of the crop wall and 5-mm-long

sections of the duodenum, cecum, and ileocecal junction.

(b) Transfer each pool to tetrathionate selective enrichment broth

(Hajna or Mueller-Kauffmann) at a ratio of 1 part tissue pool to 10

parts broth.

(c) Repeat the steps in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section for

each five-chick group until all 25 chicks have been examined, producing

a total of 15 pools (5 organ, 5 yolk, and 5 intestinal).

(d) Culture the 15 tetrathionate pools as outlined for selective

enrichment in illustration 2 of Sec. 147.12. Incubate the organ and

yolk pools for 24 hours at 37 deg.C and the intestinal pools at 41.5

deg.C. Plate as described in illustration 2 of Sec. 147.12 and examine

after both 24 and 48 hours of incubation. Confirm suspect colonies as

described. Further culture all salmonella-negative tetrathionate broths

by delayed secondary enrichment procedures described for environmental,

organ, and intestinal samples in illustration 2 of Sec. 147.12. A

colony lift assay may also be utilized as a supplement to TSI and LI

agar picks of suspect colonies.

Sec. 147.26 [Amended]

20. In Sec. 147.26, in paragraph (a), the introductory text would

be amended by removing the word ``and'' and by adding the words ``,

U.S. S. Enteritidis Monitored, and U.S. S. Enteritidis Clean''

immediately before the word ``classifications''.

21. In Sec. 147.43, the introductory text of paragraph (a) would be

amended by adding two new sentences before the first sentence to read

as set forth below; by removing the words ``the Assistant Secretary of

Agriculture for Marketing and Inspection Services, or his/her

designee,''; and by removing the words ``and who shall be designated as

vice chairperson,''.

Sec. 147.43 General Conference Committee.

(a) The Committee Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson shall be

elected by the Committee from among its members. A representative of

the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will serve as Executive

Secretary and will provide the necessary staff support for the

Committee. * * *

* * * * *

Done in Washington, DC, this 28th day of June 1995.

Terry L. Medley,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 95-16677 Filed 7-6-95; 8:45 am]

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