Board Members Dean Compart, Producer Graham Brayshaw, Veterinarian Paul Hanowski, Producer Matt Anderson, Veterinarian Peter Ripka, Producer

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1 Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting of the Board of Animal Health Wednesday, September 7, 2016 A quarterly meeting of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health was held at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at the MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar. The following people were present: Board Members Dean Compart, Producer Graham Brayshaw, Veterinarian Paul Hanowski, Producer Matt Anderson, Veterinarian Peter Ripka, Producer Consultants to the Board Jerry Torrison, Director, University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Joni Scheftel, Minnesota Department of Health Mary Donahue, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services Guests Elaine Hanson, Minnesota Pet Breeders Association Steve Olson, Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Lyle Koenen, State Senator Tim Miller, State Representative Abby Neu, Regional Extension Educator, Poultry Patrick Lunemann, Minnesota Milk Association Daryn McBeth, Gray Plant Mooty David Priesler, Minnesota Pork Producers Association Staff Members Beth Thompson, Executive Director Paul Anderson, Assistant Director Dale Lauer, Assistant Director Linda Glaser, Senior Veterinarian Stacey Schwabenlander, Senior Veterinarian Shauna Voss, Senior Veterinarian Greg Suskovic, Senior Veterinarian Michael Crusan, Communications Director Andrea Ramsey, State Program Administrator Intermediate Morgan Grelson, Business Manager

2 Welcome Graham Brayshaw Dean Compart welcomed Dr. Graham Brayshaw as a new member of the board. Dr. Brayshaw is a 2004 Graduate of Texas A&M University. He has worked in small animal practice and now serves as the Director of Veterinary Services at the Animal Humane Society of the Twin Cities. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Matt Anderson and seconded by Peter Ripka, with all present voting aye, to approve the minutes for the Wednesday, April 6, 2016 meeting. College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Jerry Torrison provided an update on the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). This year, the state has given the University of Minnesota nearly $5 million to invest in agricultural productivity. These funds are being put toward a multi year investment known as the Agricultural Research, Education, Extension and Technology Transfer Program. The university is using this investment to hire scientists and to improve infrastructure across seven areas of collaboration, including the CVM, two other U of M colleges, research and outreach, and Extension sites across the state. There has been tremendous support for veterinary student scholarships this year, particularly in animal agriculture. A few of the scholarships awarded were the Morris Animal Foundation Scholarship, the Zinpro/Schugel Scholarship to help resolve the global challenge of food scarcity, and the Michael D. Hayre Fellowship in Public Outreach, which promotes peer education about animal research among students and young adults. The CVM joined Farmfest, University of Minnesota Extension, the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences in sponsoring a recognition event for the 2016 Farm Families of the Year at Minnesota Farmfest on August 4. The Farm Family Recognition Program honors 81 farm families from throughout Minnesota for their contributions to the agriculture industry and their local communities. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory The University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) has been recognized with a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) tier one status. The USDA sponsors and approves the NAHLN laboratory network, which validates diagnostic testing and ensures all veterinary diagnostic labs are running the same tests. Gaining a tier one status will allow more financial support for the diagnostic lab and includes more responsibility for reporting and linking computer systems. Legislative funding of $283,000 is going toward new equipment and three year funding of $600,000 per year was awarded for an information system upgrade. An electron microscope was purchased to increase electron microscopy service. There is a collaborative effort among four state diagnostic labs Kansas State, Iowa State, South Dakota State and the University of Minnesota as a part of the USDA/Swine Health Information Center initiative. Once a week, they do link coding to get all diagnostic results into the exact same language to share results instantly. The VDL has 13 lab sections: Bacteriology, Electron Microscopy, Histology, Immunohistochemistry, Laboratory Receiving, Molecular Development, Molecular Diagnostics, Necropsy, Parasitology, Quality Assurance, Serology, Udder Health, and Virology. Outsourced procedures are: Clinical Pathology, Comparative Immunology and Endocrinology, Surgical Pathology, and Toxicology.

3 United States Department of Agriculture Dr. Mary Donahue offered an update on the USDA. The national incident management teams met in Fort Collins, where they discussed Minnesota and Iowa Avian influenza outbreaks. There have been some changes within the Emergency Management Response System (EMRS), and new forms and documents will be forthcoming. Also, The USDA will be offering webinars hosted by Dr. Carol Cardona on the topics of stakeholders, securing poultry and Foot and Mouth Disease. Budget & Finance Update Morgan Grelson provided an update on the Board s budget and finances. For fiscal year 2016, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health expenditures were $6,505,130. The source of these funds were State, Federal, Other, Fees. The federal funding events were Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Traceability, and Surveillance. The majority of funds were spent on payroll at $4,277,619 followed by professional technical services, information technology, space rental, maintenance, utilities, travel, and other expenses. Legislative law Avian Influenza funds were approved to be expanded for any animal disease emergency response or planning. $519,000 was appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2016 to the Commissioner of Agriculture for avian influenza emergency response activities. The commissioner may use these funds to purchase necessary euthanasia and composting equipment and reimburse costs incurred by local units of government not eligible for federal reimbursement. $1,853,000 was appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2016 to the Board of Animal Health for any animal disease response or planning activity. The total budget for fiscal year 2017 is $8,532,664. Federal funds not yet approved are not included in the budget for this Board meeting. Fiscal year 2016 funds not used have been carried over into the fiscal year 2017 budget. Available projected funds are planned to be used for the Dog and Cat Breeder Program (5 percent), 11 percent for administration, 12 percent for both HPAI and Emergency planning and 60 percent for all other animal health programs. Virulent Newcastle Disease in Cormorants Dr. Dale Lauer provided an overview of Virulent Newcastle Disease in double crested cormorants (DCCO). In August, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported to the board that Virulent Newcastle Disease (vndv) was identified in DCCO in Minnesota. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, WI, confirmed these findings. Newcastle Disease circulates among cormorants every year, and only certain DCCO nesting locations may see the virulent form transfer from bird to bird. However, if it were introduced in commercial poultry, it would be devastating. The first report this year came from Mille Lacs County in July. Reporting begins when the public or conservation officers report unexplained mortality. The DNR investigates, sends samples usually dead birds for diagnostics and continues to receive reports from other counties if vndv is suspected. In 2016, the DNR was able to identify Newcastle in some of these counties, but vndv was only detected in Pope, Mille Lacs, and Rice Counties. Although this is mostly a wildlife issue, the Board is taking a role in creating awareness among the poultry industry, producers and veterinarians so that elevated biosecurity measures may be implemented. Dr. Greg Suskovic discussed mapping vndv. In the mapping program, he ran a trial, which was similar to the mapping process used during the HPAI event. The program shows areas of interest that can be pinpointed to affected premises, control areas, etc. There are layers of visibility for different users emergency preparedness responders, industry professionals, the public, etc. that can be adjusted depending on the audience. It is being

4 used as an effective way to communicate with the poultry industry and regulatory officials. H5N2 HPAI in Alaska Dr. Dale Lauer provided an overview of the recent identification of H5N2 HPAI in a wild duck in Alaska. On August 26, 2016, the USDA/APHIS confirmed the presence of H5N2 HPAI in a wild mallard duck from a state wildlife refuge near Fairbanks, Alaska. The virus was found during a routine banding surveillance project. Initial typing results indicate the virus is 99 percent similar to the H5N2 HPAI virus that was identified in H5N2 HPAI not been found in the U.S. in either wild or commercial birds since June Since July 1, 2016, approximately 4,000 samples have been tested. This duck was a mature bird, which would indicate that the virus persists in wild bird populations; it is unknown if this virus will cross over to other birds. The findings have been reported to the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) and could affect trade. Minnesota Poultry Testing Laboratory (MPTL) History & Operations Dr. Dale Lauer offered an overview of the MPTL history and operations. In the 1950s, poultry testing was at three different hatchery locations: Rochester, Willmar and Detroit lakes. An old Pfizer laboratory in Willmar was donated to the University in the 1960s, so all poultry testing operations were consolidated and moved to Willmar. In 1997, the MPTL built a brand new facility at the current location on Business Highway 71 NE in Willmar. Over the years, it was renovated twice and expanded once to what it is today. The recent $8.5 million renovation to the existing lab adds 8,235 square feet, for a total of 11,900 square feet. Initial planning started in July Dec 2015, and the project was completed September The MPTL operates with two different cooperative public components, the University of Minnesota and the Board of Animal Health, with specific roles and responsibilities. The University is in charge of the building and building maintenance, with the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) in St. Paul helping to maintain national accreditation standards American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) standards and increased poultry diagnostics in the future with the building expansion. A majority of MPTL employees are employed by the University, with Board veterinarians serving as faculty advisors to provide on site laboratory supervision. All Board poultry programs administered from the MPTL are handled by Board employees. The MPTL is a National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) Authorized Laboratory, so the Board can easily ensure that NPIP testing standards are met. The Board also handles Board poultry program administration, such as hatchery and dealer inspections, poultry imports/exports, and certifying authorized poultry testing agents. NPIP Update Dr. Dale Lauer provided an update on the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). He and Dr. Shauna Voss attended the 43 rd NPIP Biennial Conference in Bellevue, Washington, which brought together industry, federal and state representatives to discuss and vote on proposed changes to the NPIP Provisions and Program Standards. A number of proposed changes to the NPIP were passed, including changes to the compartmentalization program, which will protect primary breeding companies facing influenza outbreaks in the U.S. Other proposals passed included the new Biosecurity Principles for NPIP Participants and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing in NPIP Laboratories with the approval of the Official State Agency and State Animal Health Official (State Veterinarian). The NPIP General Conference Committee (GCC) elections were also held at the Biennial Conference. This eightmember committee includes a member from each of the six regions in the U.S., plus one member at large and a USDA/APHIS representative who serves as the GCC Executive Secretary. Alternate members are also elected from

5 each of the six regions. This year, voting for the GCC member and alternate took place for the West North Central Region. Dr. Jill Nezworski was elected the GCC member, and Dr. Ben Wileman, the alternate, both from Minnesota. Seneca Virus Update Dr. Greg Suskovic provided an update on Seneca virus A. Seneca Virus A is increasing nationwide, including 30 investigations in Minnesota in the federal fiscal year, October to September. Sixteen cases were reported just this summer, with 10 coming in the last two weeks of July. Investigations were initiated by FSIS ante mortem exams, traces from plants (inter and intrastate) and veterinary/producer reports. The virus is causing vesicles, blisters or erosions on the snout or coronary bands, which are very painful when they rupture. Some cases have many animals with the virus, while other cases include only a few infected animals. FAD investigations include going to the infected site to collect vesicle swabs, tissue tags and blood samples, which are then hand delivered to the Minnesota VDL or shipped overnight to FADD Plum Island. Results are available within four hours from the Minnesota VDL. A negative test will release the quarantine on movement. Salmonella in Baby Poultry Dr. Shauna Voss provided the definition of a poultry dealer, as described in the Minnesota Board Rules Chapter She also referenced the three rules for poultry dealers from Chapter Poultry dealers obtain a permit from the Board, have to utilize certificates or test chart listed in Board rules, and maintain records for three years. The dealer permitting process was reviewed. Applications are sent out at the end of the calendar year. The application verifies contact information, months of operation, and that their source of birds is NPIP certified. Before obtaining their permits, dealers go through an inspection process to check sanitation, poultry health, sale records, handwashing, Public Health Precautions Handouts regarding poultry, and to make sure a salmonella fact sheet was provided at each sale. The Board s role in the salmonella outbreak investigation was described. The Board was notified by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) of human salmonella infections associated with baby poultry purchased from a poultry dealer. MDH provided estimated dates of purchase and store information gathered from the case. Board field staff gathered customer lists, purchase/hatchery records, filled out a Centers for Disease Control Exposure Questionnaire, and the MPTL provides NPIP interstate movement certificates (VS 9 3 forms). Dr. Joni Scheftel provided an update on the nationwide salmonella outbreak; 611 salmonella cases were reported in people who purchased mail order and feed store chickens as of July 19, A salmonella case is defined as one person with a lab confirmed infection of salmonella. Minnesota identified 31 cases associated with buying chicks; the median age of the individuals was 34 years old. The chicks were purchased all over the state, from all types of facilities. The cases included people buying chicks for backyard flocks. MDH is working to identify which hatcheries are the source of the outbreak to collaborate and stop the spread of salmonella. With the popularity of backyard flocks, the supply could not keep up with the demand so people started buying from commercial hatcheries. Election of Board Vice President A motion was made by Dr. Matt Anderson and seconded by Peter Ripka to elect Paul Hanowski as the new Board Vice President. Date and Place of Next Board Meeting

6 The Board will hold its next quarterly meeting at 9:30a.m. Wednesday, December 7 in Elk River. A motion was made to adjourn with all voting aye. Respectfully Submitted, Dr. Beth Thompson State Veterinarian Executive Director

Meeting Minutes: Quarterly Board Meeting

Meeting Minutes: Quarterly Board Meeting Date: February 28, 2018 Location: Minnesota Zoo Education Event Center Attendance Board Members Dean Compart, Chair Matt Anderson Graham Brayshaw Peter Ripka Consultants