Livestock diseases and pests currently found in other parts of the world are a serious threat to the U.S. and Missouri.
While the Missouri Department of Agriculture animal health team works to keep commerce moving and protect our state’s livestock industry, producers must remain vigilant. They need to be prepared in case these diseases make their way here.
There are two key preparations for livestock owners — a Premises Identification Number and a Secure Food Supply Plan.
Producers who have registered for a federal PIN and who have a Secure Food Supply Plan will be better positioned to maintain business continuity in the unfortunate event of a foreign animal disease outbreak.
Get your PIN
The first piece of preparation is to register for a federal Premises Identification Number. This easy, five-minute registration process lets our team know what type of livestock you have on your farm.
The reason for a federal PIN is twofold.
First, if there is a disease outbreak in your area of Missouri, our team can make you aware, so you can react as necessary for your operation.
During the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak over the past several years, our animal health team has notified poultry producers when HPAI was confirmed in their area, so that those producers could tighten their biosecurity practices even further.
Second, a PIN is necessary for movement of livestock inside a control zone. If a foreign animal disease is confirmed in Missouri, the animal health team will set up a control area surrounding the location in an effort to contain the disease and prevent it from spreading.
A permit will be required to move livestock within the control area during this time, and a PIN is necessary to receive a permit.
Develop a biosecurity plan
The next important step is to prepare a Secure Food Supply Plan. These farm-specific plans are written documents that include biosecurity protocols to follow on a daily basis and procedures to help manage the farm in case of an outbreak. Planning ahead is critical.
Missouri has six species-specific Secure Food Supply Plans. Visit agriculture.mo.gov/animals/biosecurity for more information about these plans and to begin the process for your operation.
Top priority for the animal health team is to protect the state’s livestock industry. While doing so, they also work to maintain continuity of commerce, including the ability to move animals that reach processing age and weight during disease outbreaks.
Your efforts now to safeguard your farm, including registering for a PIN and preparing a Secure Food Supply Plan, will help if a foreign animal disease reaches Missouri.
I hope and pray we never have to deal with any of these diseases, but my family and I are going to do everything we can to prepare, just in case.