New York State Egg Quality Assurance Program

Division of Animal Industry , 518-457-3502

NYSEQAP

The New York State Egg Quality Assurance Program (NYSEQAP) is a cooperative, voluntary effort of the New York State Poultry Producer’s Association, the New York State Department of Health, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The program was initiated in 1997 to improve the quality of eggs produced in New York and to minimize the public health risk posed by Salmonella enteritidis, a zoonotic pathogen transmitted to humans through consumption of contaminated, shelled eggs.

The program incorporates the bacteriologic surveillance, biosecurity, and pest control measures developed by the USDA, during research conducted in Pennsylvania from 1992-1996. Consequently, both the State and Federal egg quality programs are being developed as part of the Federal Egg Safety Action Plan, and are likely to be quite similar. The Federal program, for commercial producers with more than 3,000 birds in lay, is anticipated to begin in fiscal year 2004-2005.

Personnel from New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Animal Industry provide administrative services, certification audits, and producer training. The Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell’s School of Veterinary Medicine performs the bacteriologic cultures integral to the program.

To encourage participation and assist producers in their efforts to achieve program standards, a transitional program is offered. The ramp-up program provides a transition period of fifteen months, during which Department personnel make regular farm visits to provide technical guidance and audit services. When the producer is ready, the pre-requisite bacteriologic evaluation is performed and the producer transitions to full NYSEQAP certification.

To date, NYSEQAP has certified twelve commercial, shelled egg producers, five commercial pullet growers, and one large breeder facility in New York State. Currently, over eighty-five percent of the shelled eggs produced in New York come from farms enrolled in this program.

Major components of NYSEQAP address:

1. Procurement of replacement birds from certified sources.
2. Maintenance of grounds and buildings.
3. Premise biosecurity.
4. Premise sanitation, including cleaning and disinfection procedures.
5. Rodent control and monitoring.
6. Refrigeration and egg storage.

For more information on NYSEQAP, contact the Division of Animal Industry at 518-457-3502.