Maryland Department of Agriculture

The Maryland Department of Agriculture in conjunction with numerous agencies is renewing and upgrading enforcement compliance activities to improve and ensure poultry health in the State.  These activities will impact persons selling eggs, poultry and game birds.

Background information

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has the statutory authority and responsibility to protect animal health and consumer confidence in the safety of food products from Maryland.  Part of the program to protect animal health involves surveillance for dangerous animal diseases.  These “reportable” animal diseases cause significant health problems to animals and cause significant negative economic impacts on producers.

Avian influenza (AI, “bird flu”), Salmonella pullorum (“Pullorum Disease”), Salmonella gallinarum (“Fowl Typhoid”), and Salmonella enteritisis (SE) are four reportable diseases of birds which can cause severe disease in those species.  Two of these bird diseases are potentially zoonotic (humans can become ill from handling or eating contaminated birds or eggs).  The Maryland Department of Agriculture conducts monitoring and control programs for  these potentially deadly and economically important diseases of birds.

To help safeguard the health of Maryland’s poultry flocks, to maintain consumer confidence in poultry products and to protect public health, Maryland regulation requires all persons who intend to sell, offer for sale or distribute hatching eggs or live poultry must hold a valid permit from the Maryland Department of Agriculture.  Permit holders are required to meet National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) standards, maintain records and submit their flock to annual Pullorum-Typhoid testing.  (COMAR Title 15 Department of Agriculture, Subtitle 11 Animal Health (www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/15/htm).  The standards in the state regulations include rules designed to control and prevent Salmonella disease in birds.

In 2006, the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed into law a requirement for the registration of all locations where poultry is grown, housed or handled.  This law is designed to assist the Secretary of Agriculture prevent and control highly contagious diseases such as Avian Influenza.  Compliance is mandatory for owners or managers of property where poultry is kept.  There is no charge for this registration.  MDA Inspectors will make available the simple one page registration form.  For more information on this program please visit the website at  http://www.mda.state.md.us/animal_health/poultryreg/index.php or contact Marilyn Bassford at nais@dmv.com or 410.742.6023

Present Situation

The Maryland Department of Agriculture in conjunction with numerous federal state and local agencies has developed programs, policies and practices to prevent, detect and respond to avian influenza and the diseases caused by Salmonella species. Because of the recent AI activity in West Virginia and Virginia, the Department decided it was prudent to re-evaluate these activities.  MDA is aware that some Maryland producers do not possess valid permits to sell birds or fertile eggs.  The Department has established a one-time “grace period” of 6 weeks, during which time producers who wish to sell either fertile eggs or live birds within the State of Maryland, and do not have a current permit to do so, must complete the “Application for Permit to Sell Hatching Eggs, Poultry, and/or Operate a Hatchery in Maryland” and must also arrange to have their flock tested for Pullorum and typhoid.

During this grace period (19 July 2002 to 5 September 2007), sales of birds and fertile eggs will be allowed.  During the grace period, Pullorum-typhoid testing is free of charge.  After the grace period, that is, 6^th September 2007 onward, there is a $17 fee for the test.  The application is free.  Every producer who wishes to sell fertile eggs or live birds is required to have an annual Pullorum-typhoid test and to renew the “Permit to Sell”.

MDA Animal Health will also be offering testing for Avian Influenza free of charge

Important points to remember:

1. All persons who wish to sell fertile eggs or live poultry in the State of Maryland are required to have a valid permit to sell.  The permit will not be issued until a negative Pullorum-typhoid test is reported by MDA inspectors.
2. During the “grace period” applications for the permit to sell will be available at the MDA Animal Health Laboratories, at Westminster and Grantsville Livestock Auction markets and at MDA headquarters in Annapolis as well as any MDA Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory.
3. Each MD producer who wishes to sell fertile eggs or live birds must arrange with MDA inspectors to test birds on their farm.  To sell eggs, the entire breeding flock must be tested once every year, at a cost to the producer of $17.  To sell adult birds, every bird must be tested if the flock numbers fewer than 30 birds.  If the flock numbers more than 30 birds, 10% of the total number in the flock must be tested.  The $17 fee covers flocks up to 100 birds; there is an additional fee of 19 cents per bird for each bird over 100.  During the one-time “grace period” there is no fee for conducting the required Pullorum-typhoid test.  The $17 fee will be required beginning September 6, 2007.
4. All persons who wish to sell, offer for sale or distribute exotic birds (parrots, lovebirds, doves, etc.) must have a permit from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.  These permits are handled by local health department staff.
5. All persons who wish to possess or offer game birds (pheasants, quail, etc.) for sale or distribution must have a permit from both the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), contact Mary Goldie at (410)-260-8540.
6. All persons wishing to import birds or eggs into Maryland (such as producers in PA and WV) must have a valid permit from their state of origin, proof of negative Pullorum-typhoid test and a valid permit from the State of Maryland.  Maryland does not need to re-test birds from out-of-state that have proof of negative Pullorum-typhoid test within 90 days of the sale date or proof that the birds come from a US Pullorum-Typhoid Clean or equivalent flock.  The same rules apply to persons from out-of-state who wish to sell fertile eggs in Maryland.
7. Maryland residents owning or managing poultry must register their flock with MDA.
8. All sellers of fertile eggs must possess a valid permit and must clearly label the eggs “FERTILE EGGS, NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”.  The eggs must be packaged with the seller’s name, address, permit number and no other (commercial) markings

In summary – to sell fertile eggs or live birds in Maryland:

1. Apply for the Maryland Permit to Sell Hatching Eggs, Poultry, and/or Operate a Hatchery in Maryland.  There is no fee for the permit.
2. MD producers – arrange for MDA inspector to conduct Pullorum-typhoid testing free of charge during the “grace period” 26 July – 5 September 2007.
3. Apply for a permit from DHMH (contact your local health department) if you want to sell exotic/cage birds.
4. Apply for permits from both MDA and the DNR if you wish to sell game birds or game bird eggs.
5. If your birds are raised outside of the State of Maryland, you will need a Maryland permit plus proof that your flock has been tested negative for Pullorum-typhoid by your home state.
6. No table/shell eggs (infertile eggs intended for human consumption) may be sold at the WESTMINISTER Livestock Auction Market.
7. To register your property where poultry is kept, please see an MDA Animal Health inspector or visit  http://www.mda.state.md.us/animal_health/poultryreg/index.php
8. Sellers of fertile eggs must possess a valid permit and must clearly label the eggs “FERTILE EGGS, NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”.  The eggs must be packaged with the seller’s name, address, permit number and no other (commercial) markings.

To arrange testing or for more information, contact the Animal Health Laboratory in your area:                                

                                    Oakland Animal Health Lab – 301-334-2185

                                    Frederick Animal Health Lab – 301-694-1548

                                    Salisbury Animal Health Lab – 410-543-6610

                                    College Park Animal Health Lab – 304-314-1870

                                    Centreville Animal Health Lab – 410-758-0846

Prepared by V. Pierce 19 July 2007