Agricultural Emergencies & Disasters

Current DATCP Projects

In addition to division specific work, the Agency also has a number of other biosecurity-focused initiatives which are important to the safety and security of our agricultural system:

• Characterizing Wisconsin's Food Distribution System - 44 page PDF
  In order for DATCP to effectively regulate the food supply or respond to a food-related emergency, it must understand the components, processes, and stages which define our food system, from farm to fork.

• Developing a State-Wide Emergency Food Distribution Plan
  DATCP has initiated a Food Distribution Focus Group – a group of stakeholder representatives involved in the emergency food distribution system: private industry, volunteer organizations, and various levels of government. The purpose of this group is to develop a statewide emergency food distribution plan which can be implemented if there were ever a major disruption to Wisconsin’s food distribution system.

• Coordinating a Multi-Agency Agricultural Emergency Response Plan
  DATCP in partnership with the University of Wisconsin Extension and Wisconsin Agro-Security Resource Network is hosting a series of training and exercise opportunities throughout the State. The purpose of these sessions is to examine the capabilities and responsibilities of industry and county, state, and federal government while responding to or recovering from an agricultural emergency. The product of these conversations will be a series of tools which will enhance coordination of efforts during future agricultural emergencies.

• Documenting Quarantine and Stop Movement Procedures and Protocols
  DATCP understands that the severity of a foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreak is directly related to the amount of time spent on control and stop movement efforts during the initial phase of the outbreak. Therefore, DATCP is involved in multiple projects intended to help clarify and expedite these processes. DATCP is working with producers, processors, veterinarians, UW Extension, USDA, and various other stakeholder partners to define and document Wisconsin’s Quarantine and Stop Movement Procedures and Protocols for all levels of FADS. Once these procedures and protocols have been documented they will be tested for effectiveness before being distributed throughout the state as the guidebook/resource guide for Wisconsin’s quarantine and stop movement efforts.
  
  
• Agricultural Emergency Response Exercise Toolkit
  In an effort to assist Count Emergency Managers and Agricultural Extension Agents with agricultural emergency preparedness planning, DATCP has created a toolkit of agricultural emergency response exercises. Each exercise is designed to test a variety of target capabilities and improve communication and awareness between local stakeholders. Two exercise packages currently exist with each package containing a SitMan, Power Point Presentation, and Exercise Evaluation Guide.