NPIP Biosecurity Principles

Following the outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the U.S. in 2014-2015, biosecurity measures were developed for inclusion in the National Poultry Improvement Program (NPIP) Standards. These biosecurity measures are intended to be the basic management practices needed to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases. For information about the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), go to the NPIP website. The Biosecurity Principles can be found under the “NPIP Program Standards” in the left column.

This program impacts indemnity, which specifically refers to payments representing the fair market value of depopulated birds and destroyed eggs. To qualify for indemnity, producers must have a Biosecurity Plan in place addressing all components of the 14 biosecurity principles, including an audit by the Official State Agency (OSA). The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is the OSA for Minnesota, and will conduct an audit of these biosecurity plans to verify they conform to the NPIP Biosecurity Principles.

Although these Biosecurity Principles are applicable to all types and sizes of poultry production, the auditing portion will only be conducted on commercial poultry operations. Any producer can opt out of the audit, however, they may not be eligible for indemnity in the event influenza is identified on their farm.

Please submit a NPIP Biosecurity Audit Information Form to the MPTL to ensure that the Board of Animal Health has the appropriate contact information to conduct an audit and to notify you of updates to this program. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health will notify commercial poultry facilities when their audit will be conducted.

The auditing materials used in Minnesota are:

• Biosecurity Principles – Program Standards Subpart E – Biosecurity Principles
• Audit guidelines – these guidelines include the Biosecurity Principles from the NPIP Program Standards, the audit questions, and guidelines for what the auditors will be looking for in the biosecurity plans.

• For assistance or resources on how to implement these principles on your farm, please work with your veterinarian.
• The University of Minnesota Poultry Extension has YouTube videos, templates and other resources available on the Poultry Extension blog. Contact Abby Neu Schuft [email Abby] with the University of Minnesota Extension-Poultry (320-235-0726 extension 2019) for other questions.
• Iowa State University has information on developing a biosecurity plan, documenting biosecurity, signage, and training materials. Visit the Poultry Biosecurity website to learn more.