An SMS Technical Committee (TC) comprised of dairy producers, cooperatives, processors, extension, veterinarians, academicians, state and federal animal health officials who met monthly from February 2025 to January 2026 to review and guide the updates to the SMS Plan. Suggested changes were captured through stakeholder surveys, webinars, and presentations at NIAA and USAHA. An updated draft plan was presented in a national stakeholder webinar and a public comment period captured additional feedback before the TC finalized the updated plan. These updates were made possible with funding from the USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) to the NMPF. This project was managed by Preventalytics, consultant to NMPF.
Updates to the Secure Milk Supply Plan for Continuity of Business
- Expanded the SMS Plan for use beyond FMD to include similar contagious diseases, like HPAI (not exotic pests, like New World Screwworm).
- Removed the option to stop raw milk movement to commerce based on feedback from State Animal Health Officials and industry.
- Updated the Movement Permit Guidance Criteria for Dairy Farms Located within an FMD Control Area to clarify traceability and record keeping, monitoring for disease, and treating raw milk destined for animal feed to WOAH standards.
- Added an Appendix which is a summary of risk assessment, traceability, biosecurity checklist, biosecurity performance standards, bulk tank milk testing, and permit recommendations for raw milk and colostrum to commerce and animal feed, and cattle movements. Readers are referred to the Bovine Germplasm Movement Plan for semen, embryos, and high genomic merit cattle
- Inserted sections on FMD and HPAI virus survivability in milk and milk products and treatment of raw milk to inactivate viruses.
- The plan length is now 17 pages with the expansion to HPAI, improved navigation (table of contents) and industry requested resources (acronyms, glossary).
Updated Biosecurity Resources (Checklist, Info Manual, Template, National Dairy FARM Database)
- The same 11 sections were kept (Biosecurity Manager, Training, Protecting the Dairy, Manure, etc.)
- Checklist: Instead of paragraphs, individual steps assess if biosecurity is “In Place”
- New items were added to address current industry capabilities and additional risks (review by herd/accredited veterinarian; training at hiring; shared personnel living spaces/vehicles; physical barriers to show LOS; increased distance between adjacent premises; access to equipment/supplies to set up a C&D station within 24 hours; shared livestock equipment; specifics for people arrival and exit steps; treatment of raw milk for animal feed specifics; reference to the Bovine Germplasm Movement Plan; bird control steps; feed source and delivery steps; additional labels on premises map)
Updated Permit Guidance
- Actions for Regulatory Officials: Guidance for SAHOs to preparedness plan then communicate state expectations with the dairy industry from a standstill through re-starting movements.
- Quick Facts for Producers, Cooperatives, and Processors: Provides answers to who, what, where, when, and why questions about movement permits.
NEW: What to Expect in a National Movement Standstill
- Answers to frequently asked questions about who and what would be impacted by a national movement standstill.
NEW: Contingency Planning for Movement Restrictions
- Guidance for dairy producers to develop contingency plans for movement restrictions, for at least 72-hours, that supports animal well-being and business continuity. Communication, financial planning, and various movements are included.
NEW: Quick Facts Milk Haulers/Drivers on Outbreak Biosecurity Expectations (coming soon)
Actions for haulers/drivers to practice site-specific biosecurity, maintaining vehicle cleanliness, identifying the Line of Separation (LOS), and wearing protective gear that align with the Biosecurity Performance Standards.