(A188) Foot and Mouth Disease Continuity of Business Planning for the U.S. Dairy Industry

Abstract

If foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was detected in the United States (U.S.), a national animal health emergency would be declared and livestock and allied industries would feel the immediate impacts of animal and product movement restrictions, animal quarantines, disease surveillance activities and other necessary measures implemented to control the disease. These control measures, while necessary to contain the outbreak, would have impacts on the normal business practices of uninfected livestock producers in affected regions, and potentially disrupt interstate commerce. Such impacts would be most disruptive to industries producing perishable products and utilizing ‘just-in-time’ supply models. One significantly impacted sector would be the U.S. dairy industry whose operations rely upon daily animal, product and other supportive movements, and do not have the capacity to store milk for more than 24-48 hours. Disruption of normal milk movement in the U.S. could affect the provision of milk and milk products, as well as create significant milk disposal, environmental and animal welfare issues. The challenge of controlling and eliminating FMD while at the same time maintaining the long term viability of the U.S. dairy industry, represents a complex and multifaceted challenge. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is collaborating in preparedness initiatives and pre-event, academia-facilitated emergency management planning efforts with states and livestock industries. A key element, critical to a successful outcome from this initiative is the involvement of industry throughout the process. One such effort is the ‘Secure Milk Supply’ (SMS) Plan project and its initial goal is to develop agreed upon processes and procedures to pick up, transport, and pasteurize milk from uninfected farms in FMD control areas thus helping to maintain business continuity for dairy producers, haulers, and processors. This presentation will describe the current approach to FMD control in the U.S., issues of special relevance to the dairy industry and the progress and planned future directions of the USDA sponsored SMS Plan.