The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is awarding more than $15.3 million to projects that will enhance prevention, preparedness, early detection and rapid response to the most damaging diseases that threaten U.S. livestock. USDA is awarding this funding through the 2018 Farm Bill’s National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP).
The 68 new projects will help address gaps in animal disease outbreak emergency response, increase producers’ use of gold-standard biosecurity measures, train producers and responders to carry out animal disease outbreak response activities, help states and tribes develop and exercise animal disease emergency response plans, and aid producers who are impacted by animal disease outbreaks recover quickly. Kansas State University and the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) both were awarded funds. K-State will focus on the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center’s Region 7 tabletop exercise and functional workbooks for extension professionals. KDA will use the funds to train state secure food supply coordinators and further evaluate livestock disposal options during a disease outbreak.
NADPRP was part of the 2018 Farm Bill and became permanent under the Animal Health Protection Act. It is part of an overall strategy to help prevent animal pests and diseases and reduce the spread and impact of potential disease incursions, with the goal of protecting and expanding market opportunities for U.S. agricultural products.