The alabama department of agriculture & industries will improve its agricultural emergency response capabilities relating to B iosecurity, mass depopulation, responder safety and training during…

The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries received a $118,797 Cooperative Agreement award from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), effective August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2027. The award funds a comprehensive agricultural emergency response initiative designed to enhance Alabama's biosecurity and avian influenza (AI) preparedness capabilities. Primary deliverables include conducting poultry biosecurity exercises, poultry depopulation exercises, and responder safety training; facilitating a biosecurity and quarantine protocol workshop; and conducting a carcass management and disposal workshop and training program. These exercises and workshops provide practical experience and support to emergency responders, enabling rapid disease containment during a foreign animal disease (FAD) event.

The project directly supports critical agricultural emergency response objectives by building operational capacity to minimize business disruption for Alabama poultry producers during an AI outbreak while ensuring food supply safety and protecting rural economic opportunities. Through hands-on training and exercise scenarios, the initiative strengthens inter-agency coordination and responder preparedness for mass depopulation, cleaning, disinfection, and carcass disposal operations—essential components of effective disease control and outbreak containment protocols.

The alabama department of agriculture & industries will improve its agricultural emergency response capabilities relating to B iosecurity, mass depopulation, responder safety and training during depopulation events, cleaning, disinfection, and animal carcass disposal during an avian influenza event in alabama. The project will include poultry biosecurity exercises, poultry depopulation exercises, poultry exercise safety and training, a biosecurity/quarantine protocol workshop, and a carcass management and disposal workshop/training. The project provides experience and support to emergency responders, resulting in rapid containment of disease allowing producers to return to business as quickly as possible during a FAD. The project will ensure a safe food supply and protect rural communities' economic opportunities in alabama.