Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper wants lawmakers to push the World Organization for Animal Health to change the definition of the word “poultry” in order to differentiate between commercial poultry and non-commercial or backyard flocks.
Harper tells the Ag Information Network the current definition is costing Georgia’s poultry industry an estimated $300 million dollars due to trade disruptions.
The definition went in place during a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in a non-commercial flock in November 2023.
Georgia State Veterinarian Janemarie Hennebelle supports the change saying backyard flocks and birds raised-for-release are more likely to be exposed to wild birds who could be sick, unlike commercial flocks who already abide by strict biosecurity measures.
(FROM GEORGIA NEWS NETWORK)