10/25/01
10/25/01
What is the U.S. Department of Agriculture doing to ensure the well-being of America’s agriculture and food supply?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has in place an overall biosecurity system designed to prevent the harmful introduction of plant and animal pathogens into America’s system of agriculture and food production. From the farm to the table, USDA enforces biosecurity measures designed to protect against all animal and plant pathogens.
USDA continues to take the necessary steps to ensure its programs and services are responsive to potential biosecurity threats. Our programs serve to meet two very important objectives. First is to have systems in place to prevent the entry of plant or animal diseases. Second is to have resources and response mechanisms in place to contain and eradicate should we face an emergency.
Since September 11, all USDA inspectors have been placed on heightened alert at ports of entry and in meat and poultry slaughter and processing plants, and security has been increased at appropriate USDA facilities. USDA is also closely coordinating with other federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Customs Service, and law enforcement agencies on biosecurity issues. Communications, training and outreach continues with state and local agriculture agencies, as well as appropriate industry representatives.
“We are examining our responsibilities -- looking at our short and long term needs to ensure USDA continues to protect America’s food supply and agriculture against pests and disease of any kind,” says Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman. “We stand ready--and are making sure that we are prepared, coordinated, and able to respond should we ever face an emergency.”
What has USDA done differently since September 11 to protect American agriculture?
USDA personnel at our ports of entry, food inspection facilities, and research labs and buildings, are currently on a heightened state of alert. At ports of entry, personnel are conducting intensified product and cargo inspections of travelers and baggage to prevent the entry of animal or plant pests and diseases. Food safety inspectors have been provided additional guidance to be alert to any irregularity at food processing facilities. USDA constantly reviews and updates its biosecurity procedures as laboratory methods and science improves.
USDA is coordinating with other federal agencies, as well as appropriate state and local agriculture offices and industry organizations to provide training and strengthen resources where appropriate. USDA has provided nearly $2 million in state grants to assist in emergency preparedness and an additional $45 million has been requested to strengthen biosecurity measures.
Throughout 2001, USDA has taken a number of steps to strengthen USDA’s agricultural infrastructure -- the programs, the research, the coordination and resources -- to ensure the department has the ability to prevent pests and diseases from harming agriculture and our food system. Earlier this year as a result of the devastating outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that hit the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, USDA began an intense review of its safeguarding programs. As a result, by the end of this fiscal year, USDA will have increased its inspection personnel at U.S. ports of entry by nearly 40 percent and will double its inspection dog teams from levels two years ago. Additionally, training exercises, as well as more communications and technical assistance, has been conducted and improved to ensure readiness should we face an animal, pest or food emergency.
How will USDA work with the Office of Homeland Security?
In the wake of the September 11 tragedies, the President established the Office of Homeland Security. Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge has begun to work with all government agencies to ensure the protection of U.S. citizens, their resources, and their way of life. He understands clearly the programs in place at USDA and is committed to examining and strengthening these programs as they relate to agriculture and food safety. USDA is committed to doing its part as it relates to homeland protection. USDA is providing assistance and staff to the Office of Homeland Security as it relates to programs and services related to the USDA.
Is USDA cooperating with states and industry on emergency preparedness?
The 50 states are USDA’s first line of defense in protecting agriculture, and USDA continues to strengthen its state-federal partnerships. USDA recently provided nearly $2 million to 32 states to help bolster emergency animal disease prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery systems at the local level. These grants augment programs that strengthen training, purchase equipment, test emergency programs and response mechanisms, and examine new technologies to assist in detecting and combating animal diseases. Additionally, as part of a supplemental spending package in August, $158 million in grants were provided to states that could be used to assist in emergency planning and response mechanisms.
USDA conducts regular training, meetings and conferences to discuss planning and preparedness issues as it relates to pest and animal diseases and food safety issues. USDA communicates with producers, farmers and food manufacturers via industry associations, industry media, and cooperators on state and local levels regarding ongoing agricultural issues such as biosecurity. USDA officials in every state continue to meet and discuss with producers and farmers the importance of heightened awareness as a protection measure against biosecurity threats, urging responsible and cautious monitoring of the nation’s food and agriculture system.
Does the USDA currently maintain any anthrax stockpiles?
USDA’s main animal disease diagnostics laboratory in Iowa, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, maintains small quantities of anthrax to use as reference material in making confirmatory anthrax diagnoses in animals. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service maintains that laboratory as part of its mission to protect American agriculture from pests and diseases. Appropriate measures are in place, and have been strengthened since September 11th, to ensure the safety and protection of USDA personnel, resources, and facilities.
Does USDA examine food for anthrax?
USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service has a team of more than 6000 food safety inspectors working throughout the United States at meat processing facilities. These are specialists who are trained to prevent foodborne contamination of meat and poultry products. These personnel are trained to look for adulteration of products and potential contamination that could threaten the safety of our food supply. This applies to all contagions, not just anthrax.
What should people do if they suspect their meat or poultry has been intentionally adulterated?
Consumers who believe they have eaten suspect product should contact a physician immediately. Consumers concerned about their meat or poultry products should contact USDA’s meat and poultry hotline at: 1-800-535-4555. A USDA compliance officer will follow up on reports of product tampering and adulteration.
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