Under IC 4-22-2-24, notice is hereby given that on October 14, 2010, at 9:50 a.m., at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, 4154 North Keystone Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule that will amend 345 IAC 4 to update the National Poultry Improvement Plan regulations incorporated by reference and make conforming amendments and add 345 IAC 4-4-4 to establish the state's policy on cooperating with the United States Department of Agriculture in administering the H5/N7 low pathogenic avian influenza eradication program.

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health is considering these changes because BOAH is required by state law to cooperate with the Indiana State Poultry Association and the United States Department of Agriculture in administering the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). IC 15-17-10-15. The NPIP is a voluntary program for industry administered by the states. Participants must meet specific requirements to enter and remain in the program. States must administer the program in a manner that is consistent with the national program. The NPIP program requirements for participants and states are prescribed by the United States Department of Agriculture. The rule updates the Indiana NPIP program standards to the most recent version of the federal standards.

Copies of these rules are now on file at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, 4154 North Keystone Avenue and Legislative Services Agency, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N201, Indianapolis, Indiana and are open for public inspection.