National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP)

The National Poultry Improvement Plan was established in the early 1930's to provide a cooperative industry, state, and federal program through which new diagnostic technology can be effectively applied to the improvement of poultry and poultry products throughout the country.  The development of the NPIP was initiated to eliminate Pullorum Disease caused by Salmonella pullorum which was rampant in poultry and could cause upwards of 80% mortality in baby poultry.  The program was later extended and refined to include testing and monitoring for Salmonella typhoid, Salmonella enteritidis, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, Mycoplasma meleagridis, and Avian Influenza.  In addition, the NPIP currently includes commercial poultry, turkeys, waterfowl, exhibition poultry, backyard poultry, and game birds.  The technical and management provisions of the NPIP have been developed jointly by Industry members and State and Federal officials.  These criteria have established standards for the evaluation of poultry with respect to freedom from NPIP diseases.

For more information about the National Poultry Improvement Plan and to find a list of NPIP participants by state, please go to: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/participants.shtml