USDA Updates Interstate Movement Requirements for Lactating Dairy Cattle
Published Friday, May 15, 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recently updated its guidance tied to the April 2024 federal order requiring testing of lactating dairy cattle prior to interstate movement. Effective immediately, lactating dairy cattle moving from states classified as “unaffected” under the national milk testing strategy are no longer required to test for H5N1 bird flu before crossing state lines.
California, however, has not yet met the negative testing benchmarks necessary to receive the “unaffected” state status. While there are currently no California dairies under quarantine for bird flu, California remains classified as an affected state and continues operating under stage 3 of the national milk testing strategy. As a result, premovement H5N1 bird flu testing requirements for lactating dairy cattle leaving California remain in place.
Producers are reminded that if animals exhibit signs consistent with H5N1, they should immediately contact the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Staff contact: Richard Filgas, rfilgas@cfbf.com.
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