Poultry experts and industry representatives met at the 44^th biennial meeting of the National Poultry Improvement Conference in Franklin Tennessee on June 26-28.   Participants from the table egg industry joined with commercial breeders, broilers, turkey, and game bird industries to unilaterally pass recommendation related to animal health, biosecurity, and program standards for APHIS to consider as rules are developed.

The conference provides industry the opportunity to work hand in hand with the official state agency for NPIP along with representatives from USDA to develop guiding principles for improving poultry health across all species. The success of the NPIP program is largely due to the democratic process the agency has incorporated to hear directly from industry and is evidenced by participation in the program by all 50 states for the first time.