USDA/APHIS Hist.
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USDA/APHIS History* Regulations, Milestones, Poultry/Avian Diseases 

                                    By: Sandee L. Molenda*

1883                            Veterinary Division established by the Commissioner of Agriculture 

May 29, 1884              Congress creates the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) within USDA to eradicate contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and other contagious animal diseases 

Aug. 25, 1884            Animal quarantine stations of the Treasury Department transferred
to the BAI; facilities were near Baltimore, MD, New York City, NY, Boston, MA and Philadelphia, PA 

1887                            Congress gives BAI authority to purchase and destroy diseased animals 

Aug. 30, 1890             Congress gives BAI quarantine
                                    authority over domestic ruminants,
                                    swine

1900                            Lacey Act prohibits the importation of injurious animals, birds and fish 

1903                            Animal import center established at Clifton,  NJ; replaces quarantine station at Garfield, NJ 

1924                            First reported U.S. outbreak of fowl plague spreads to eight Eastern and Midwest States; eradication measures are effective 

1929                            Fowl plague eradicated 

March 2, 1931            Congress passes the Animal 
                                    Damage Control Act; ADC Established     
                                    within  USDA 

1935                            National Poultry Improvement Plan begins with major goal of eliminating pullorum disease 

July 1, 1939                 In a government reorganization, Animal Damage Control is transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service in the Department of Interior 

April 1950                  First detection of exotic Newcastle disease in the United States in chukars and pheasants Contra Costa County, CA 

Aug. 4, 1950               Congress authorizes the
                                    National Poultry Improvement Plan 

Nov. 2, 1953               In a major USDA reorganization, the "Bureaus" (Bureau of Animal Industry, Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine and Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils and Agricultural Engineering) are abolished and their functions transferred to the Agricultural Research Service 

1954                            National Poultry and Turkey Improvement Plans broadened to include control of fowl typhoid and salmonella infections 

1961                            Domestic animal health research and diagnostic work consolidated at new facility in Ames, Iowa 

1962                            Animal and plant health regulatory staffs relocated from USDA South Building to Hyattsville, Maryland 

July 2, 1962                Congress updates animal quarantine laws to give the Secretary power to declare an extraordinary emergency 

Aug. 24, 1966             Congress passes the Laboratory Animal
                                     Welfare Act 

May 6, 1970               Congress authorizes high-security quarantine center for animals imported from countries with Foot & Mouth Disease and other exotic foreign animal diseases 

Dec. 24, 1970              Congress amends the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act; renames it the Animal Welfare Act 

Oct. 31, 1971              Animal and plant health functions in ARS are transferred to a new agency, the Animal and Plant Health Service (APHS)

November 1971        Mexican double yellow-headed parrots from South America introduce exotic Newcastle Disease into commercial poultry in southern California 

March 14, 1972          Emergency declared to combat a spreading outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease in southern California; 45,000 square miles quarantined, task force eventually reaches peak strength of more than 1,300 people 

April 2, 1972              Meat and poultry inspections functions are transferred to APHIS and the agency is renamed as the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 

Nov. 10, 1972             Extraordinary emergency declared to let APHIS conduct the exotic Newcastle disease task force under Federal authority, including the of sentinel chickens 

Dec. 28, 1973             Congress passes Endangered
                                    Species Act 

Jan. 14, 1974              United States ratifies the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) 

July 3, 1974                Exotic Newcastle disease eradicated after the destruction of nearly 12 million chickens; eradication campaign costs $56 million 

April 22, 1976            Animal Welfare Act amended to cover animals in transportation and to prohibit animal fighting ventures 

February 1977           Serious outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease in pet birds eradicated from 40 States and Puerto Rico 

March 14, 1977          Meat and poultry inspection functions in APHIS are transferred to the Food Safety and Quality Service, but APHIS retains its name (the agency performs many other inspection functions) 

1979                            National Poultry Improvement Plan transferred to APHIS from ARS 

July 20, 1979              New building at National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, dedicated 

Oct. 19, 1979              Dedication of APHIS' high-security Harry S Truman Animal Import Center (HSTAIC) at Key West, Florida 

Mar. 21, 1980             Official opening of New York Animal Import Center at Newburgh, NY, which replaced the import center operating since 1903 at Clifton, NJ 

Dec. 22, 1981              Congress gives APHIS extraordinary emergency authority for plant pests, an outgrowth of a confrontation with the Governor of California over Medfly eradication measures 

Oct. 25, 1982              New biocontrol facility dedicated
                                    at Mission, Texas 

September 1983        APHIS establishes the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) to measure the status of U.S. animal health 

1983-84                       Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza eradicated from PA, VA, MD and NJ; 17 million chickens destroyed at a cost of $65 million 

1984                            USDA Beagle Brigade begins with one dog team at LAX to detect prohibited agricultural items in the baggage of international travelers 

March 1984                APHIS port inspectors can levy spot fines on smugglers (based on passage of new penalty legislation in 1983) 

May 29, 1984             USDA observes "100 years of 
                                    animal health"  (BAI-ARS-APHIS) 

1985                            APHIS adopts official logo, a 
                                    stylized cow and plant design 

Dec. 19, 1985              Animal Damage Control transferred to APHIS from the Department of Interior 

Dec. 23, 1985              Animal Welfare Act amended to provide exercise for dogs and the psychological well-being of primates used in research 

1988                            National Animal Damage Control Advisory Committee established. 

Oct. 1, 1988                APHIS completes a major restructuring; to the units of VS, PPQ, ADC and M&B were added BBEP, IS, LPA, PPD, REAC, R&D and S&T 

March 22, 1989          USDA observes "100 years of biological 
                                    control" 

1990                            National Biological Control Institute established in APHIS to provide leadership for biological control 

Oct. 25, 1990              Animal Welfare Act amended to add regulations for random source dogs and cats based on passage of the Pet Theft Act 

1991                            APHIS starts collecting user fees for AQI  (agricultural quarantine inspection) services 

1992                            Congress passes Wild Bird Conservation Act, prohibits importation of wild-caught birds, gives jurisdiction to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 

April 1993                  APHIS simplifies its biotechnology
                                     rules 

March 15, 1995          10th anniversary of Beagle Brigade celebrated with ceremonies at USDA Patio; 30 dog teams operate at 19 international airports 

June 28, 1995              APHIS announces its "Home Page" on the Internet's World Wide Web 

Aug 1995                    USDA Allows Veterinarians Up to 30 Days to Issue Animal Health Documents 

Sept. 13, 1995            New APHIS headquarters 
                                    building dedicated in Riverdale, MD 

Nov. 1995                   Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will assist efforts by the poultry industry, state departments of agriculture and academia in researching spiking mortality of turkeys (SMT) 

Feb. 1996                    APHIS Press Releases Now Available 
                                    Through the Internet 

Feb. 1996                    Pet theft, inhumane treatment, and the improper care and breeding of animals are receiving added attention from the U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Aug. 1996                  USDA proposes lifting requirements for veterinary inspection for all pet birds imported from Canada. The proposal would also allow pet birds imported from countries other than Canada to be maintained under home quarantine for 30 days. In addition, the rule would allow microchip implants as a form of permanent identification of U.S. pet birds. 

Aug. 2, 1996              Newcastle virus discovered 
                                    at pet-bird facility in Rolla, Mo

 Sept. 1996                 USDA Solicits Public Comment on
                                    Regulating Nonindigenous Species 

Dec. 27, 1996              USDA proposal to declare Costa Rica free of exotic Newcastle disease 

Feb. 1997                    USDA regulates retail dealers who sell 
                                    small exotic animals

Feb. 7, 1997                USDA restricts importation of live birds, poultry, and poultry products into the United States from Great Britain because of exotic Newcastle disease 

March 1997                USDA Seeks Comments on
                                    Animal Care Petition under AWA 

April 18, 1997            USDA bans importation of live birds and poultry from Norway and Northern Ireland because of recent outbreaks of exotic Newcastle disease in chicken flocks 

May 21, 1997             USDA declares Costa Rica free of 
                                    exotic Newcastle disease

May 21, 1997              APHIS announces Hawaii
                                    Animal Import Center in Honolulu will
                                     officially close June 30 

May, 1997                  Outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease in comorants at Salton Sea, CA 

July 24, 1997              USDA seeks information practices for handling and training potentially dangerous exotic or wild animals used in exhibition that are covered by the Animal Welfare Act. 

July 29, 1997              APHIS provides press releases 
                                    by e-mail 

Aug. 22, 1997             USDA amends National Poultry 
                                     Improvement Plan 

Aug. 26, 1997            USDA announces lottery use of the Harry S Truman Animal Import Center in the calendar year 1998 

Sept. 22, 1997            USDA extends comment period for information concerning currently used practices for handling and training potentially dangerous exotic or wild animals used in exhibition that are covered by the Animal Welfare Act 

Nov. 14, 1997            USDA extends comment period for information concerning currently used practices for handling and training potentially dangerous exotic or wild animals used in exhibition that are covered by the Animal Welfare Act 

March 3, 1998            USDA amends AWA pertaining to climatic conditions for animals protected under the law 

May 1998                   USDA's Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases meeting 

May 1998                   APHIS Animal Care holds 
                                    public meeting

Jun 1998                     USDA reports outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease in game birds in Fresno, CA 

July 10, 1998              USDA declares exotic Newcastle disease outbreak in Fresno, CA eradicated 

Aug. 18, 1998             USDA declares Great Britain free of 
                                    exotic Newcastle disease 

Oct 2, 1998                 All quarantine lifted in exotic Newcastle disease outbreak in Fresno, CA 

Oct. 8, 1998                APHIS will conduct a test of its Regional Emergency Animal Disease Eradication Organization (READEO) system 

Nov. 18, 1998            USDA closes Harry S Truman Animal Import Center in Key West, FL 

Dec. 10, 1998              USDA proposes to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of poultry carcasses and parts or products of poultry carcasses from regions where exotic Newcastle disease is considered to exist 

Jan. 5, 1999                 APHIS announces public meeting of the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan 

Jan. 22, 1999               USDA establishes a program under which non-government facilities could become accredited to perform specific laboratory testing or phytosanitary inspection services 

Jan. 27, 1999              USDA seeks comment on a petition rulemaking that requests USDA to amend the definition of animal in the Animal Welfare Act regulations to include rats and mice bred for laboratory research and birds 

March 4, 1999            USDA extends comment period that requests AWA regulations be amended to include rats and mice bred for laboratory research and birds 

May 27, 1999             USDA  proposes change to the Animal Welfare Act so animals confiscated by USDA can be placed with people and facilities not currently licensed under AWA 

June 4, 1999               USDA allows importation of poultry meat and other poultry products from Mexico under new, less restrictive conditions. 

July 16, 1999              USDA will allow, under certain conditions, importation of poultry carcasses and parts or products of poultry carcasses processed in regions where exotic Newcastle disease is considered to exist 

Oct. 1999                    USDA issues statement against smuggled birds confirming confiscation of birds with exotic Newcastle disease                                              

Dec. 9, 1999               USDA developing emergency plan for 
                                    pets in disasters 

Feb. 7, 2000                USDA proposes allowing poultry carcasses, parts, and other products not otherwise allowed in the United States from regions that Mexico has declared free of exotic Newcastle disease to transit the United States en route to other countries 

April 14, 2000            USDA proposes amending animal export regulations to allow origin health certificates issued for livestock intended for export from the United States to be valid for longer than 30 days in some cases, based on the requirements of the country of destination 

July 10, 2000              USDA considers modifying the system used to classify animal pain and distress for animals used for research, tests, experiments, or teaching. USDA is also considering creating an Animal Welfare Act definition for the word "distress." 

July 18, 2000              USDA recommends precautions to protect pets from West Nile virus 

August 18, 2000        USDA extends comment period on its consideration to modify system for classifying animal pain and distress for animals used for research, tests, experiments, or teaching. USDA is also considering adding a definition for the word "distress" in its Animal Welfare Act regulations.  

Aug. 18, 2000            USDA amends regulations to allow poultry carcasses, parts, and other products from regions Mexico has declared free of exotic Newcastle disease to transit the United States en route to other countries 

Nov. 22, 2000            USDA announced agreement with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture to cooperate in a nationwide animal health safeguarding review 

April 27, 2001           USDA establishes grant program for the National Animal Health Emergency Management System 

July 20, 2001              USDA seeks comments on a proposed change that would provide new or modified sampling and testing procedures for participants in the National Poultry Improvement Plan 

Aug. 1, 2001              USDA issues a conditional license to Fort Dodge Laboratories, Inc., of Fort Dodge, Iowa, a division of American Home Products, Inc. for a vaccine intended to aid in the prevention of disease in horses caused by West Nile virus 

Dec. 4, 2001                USDA announced the appointment of 18 people with a broad knowledge of agriculture, livestock, and veterinary medical issues to serve on the Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases Advisory Committee 

Jan. 14, 2002               APHIS allows the use of microchip implants as an acceptable form of identification for pet birds of U.S. origin returning to this country after traveling outside of the United States. The regulations currently provide for the use of leg bands or tattoos to identify such birds.                                               

March 15, 2002          USDA amends regulations pertaining to animal exports and the standards for accredited veterinarians to allow origin health certificates for animals intended for export from the United States to be valid for more than 30 days in some cases, depending on the testing    requirements of the country of destination. 

Aug. 6, 2002              APHIS will provide $69.2 million to Virginia contract growers and owners for poultry destroyed because of low pathogenic avian influenza 

Oct. 4, 2002                Exotic Newcastle disease discovered in game birds in Southern California 

Oct. 22, 2002              APHIS proposes declaring the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan free of exotic Newcastle disease. 

Nov. 22, 2002            APHIS announces new Internet home 
                                    page: www.aphis.usda.gov 

Nov. 25, 2002            USDA announces it is amending its exotic Newcastle disease regulations by quarantining Los Angeles County, and portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, CA 

Dec. 2002                   Exotic Newcastle discovered in first commercial egg farm, San Diego County added to quarantine area 

Jan. 2003                    USDA issues moratorium on shipping any birds out of CA due to outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease 

Jan. 16, 2003               Outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease in NV - USDA defines event as a single point source outbreak affecting multiple premises 

Feb. 4, 2003                Outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease in AZ - USDA defines event as a single point source outbreak affecting multiple premises

*Statistics from USDA, APHIS, OIE, USAHA, ISID

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