WASHINGTON — After the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a federal order that required lactating cows test negative for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) prior to interstate transport, the Meat Institute released a statement pointing out properly prepared beef remains safe to eat. The Meat Institute also called for the USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide worker safety guidelines for beef processors to ensure workers are protected from infection.

“USDA and CDC are working overtime to understand the spread of the virus and to determine its effects on the health of people and animals,” said Julie Anna Potts, president and chief executive officer of the Meat Institute. “We encourage USDA and CDC to conduct additional testing and monitoring to continue to ensure properly prepared beef remains safe to eat.”

Potts said the Meat Institute and its members are working with the USDA, state and local veterinarians and its cattle producer partners to stop the spread of the virus and to ensure beef production continues.

In addition to requesting worker safety guidelines regarding HPAI, the Meat Institute called on the Biden administration to anticipate international trade concerns and encourage trading partners to abide by internationally recognized scientific standards as determined by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

On April 24, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued the federal order requiring HPAI testing for dairy cattle entering interstate transport in hopes of preventing spread of the virus. The order takes effect April 29.

According to the Meat Institute, dairy cattle make up 6.8% of total beef production in the United States.

To date, 33 outbreaks of HPAI have been reported among dairy herds across eight states, including: Kansas, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas.