September 10, 2024

USDA awards US$380,000 for new Tribal animal disease preparedness projects

The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced the allocation of US$380,000 to support four new cooperative agreements with Tribal partners.

These projects are part of the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Programme (NADPRP) and were selected from the NADPRP FY2024 Tribal Funding Opportunity.

Earlier in the year, APHIS awarded an additional US$830,000 to fund two NADPRP projects that are jointly led by universities and Tribes. This brings the total NADPRP funding for Tribal-related projects to US$1.2 million. The projects aim to enhance the animal disease response capabilities of Tribes and improve APHIS' partnerships with these communities.

The selected projects include education and training on biosecurity measures to protect livestock, the development of animal disease emergency response plans, and improved disease traceability systems. Additional focus areas include poultry health, biosecurity, and flock management, as well as virus containment strategies for swine owners. Community-based outreach and education on animal disease prevention, early detection, and response are also part of the initiatives.

The NADPRP programme works to prevent the introduction and spread of high-consequence animal pests and diseases through agreements between APHIS and various partners, including states, universities, livestock producer organisations, Tribal organisations, and land-grant universities. These cooperative efforts enhance the nation's preparedness and response to emerging and foreign animal diseases that pose a threat to US agriculture.

-      USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service