US Approves Bulk Milk Testing for Bird Flu in Cattle Transport

The USDA has introduced a pilot program allowing bulk milk testing for bird flu in dairy cows before interstate transport, aiming to ease the burden of individual cow testing and reduce virus spread. While the program could help mitigate risks and protect the milk supply, some veterinarians warn that bulk testing may not be sufficient to confirm herds are virus-free. The program requires farms to test negative for three consecutive weeks using bulk tank samples to move cattle without additional testing, with ongoing weekly submissions to maintain status.