On June 6, 2024, the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a temporary exemption for H5 avian influenza viruses from the requirements of the select agent and toxin regulations for a period of three years utilizing the exemption authority under 9 C.F.R. §121.5(f). This exemption replaces all previously issued and currently effective exemptions related to H5 avian influenza viruses.