Homeland Security For Livestock Producers
What can you do as a livestock producer to protect your herd and livelihood? USDA/APHIS has issued the following recommendations regarding heightened threat levels.
As a result of the events of 9-11, increased security level and foreign animal disease (FAD) surveillance should be increased nationwide. No potential FAD cases should be disregarded. Potential hoaxes should be treated as suspect incursions of FAD's until proven otherwise. Specific attention should be directed at livestock and poultry concentration points. Investigators and laboratory personnel should implement an appropriate level of personal protection when examining animals, carcasses, and submitting samples until potentially zoonotic diseases can be ruled out.
Physical security on farms, livestock concentration points, and quarantine stations should be heightened. Limited animal movements and farm contacts should be kept to essential people for continued operations.
APHIS has issued the following set of guidelines:
High Condition/High Risk (Orange)