Weekly Livestock-Equine News: April 28, 2025

Horse Protection Act changes further postponed

The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced it is postponing the effective date for the strengthened Horse Protection Act (HPA) regulations until February 2026. HPA would prohibit sored horses from participating in auctions, exhibitions, sales or shows. The delay is due to a decision by Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas vacating most of previously proposed regulations.

U of Illinois has plan to boost large-animal vet numbers

A new early-acceptance program at the University of Illinois College of Vet Medicine will hold up to five spots for students who show real commitment to large-animal veterinary work in their first two years of college at U of I. The program is not intended to be a one-off, as the veterinary medicine program will hold up to five of 160 class spots annually for such students.

New HPAI cases reported in Hungary

Amid a general easing in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) cases across Europe with the progress of spring, multiple new outbreaks linked to the H5N1 virus serotype have been confirmed in Hungary. Fifteen more poultry farms have tested positive for the virus, based on official notifications submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health.

FDA suspends quality control testing of milk

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is suspending a quality control program for testing of fluid milk and other dairy products due to reduced capacity in its food safety and nutrition division, according to Reuters. The suspension follows the termination and departure of 20,000 employees of the Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the FDA, as part of Elon Musk’s effort to shrink the federal workforce.

Pilgrim’s Pride biggest donor $5 to Trump-Vance inauguration

A report recently filed with the Federal Election Commission revealed that Pilgrim’s Pride – the second largest poultry producer in the U.S. – was the largest donor ($5 million) to the inauguration of Trump and Vance. “We look forward to working with the Administration to create opportunities for American farmers and provide safe, affordable food for American families,” the company said in a statement to WATT Global Media.

Annual caps for H-2B visas a concern for horse racing industry

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association expressed concern that the Trump administration will lower caps for H-2B visas, which allow immigrant workers on a temporary basis for jobs in non-agriculture seasonal labor, including working with animals. The annual cap for H-2B visas was reached in March 2025, for workers to be employed from April 1 to Sept. 30. Trump froze H-1B visas during his first term.