The arkansas livestock and poultry commission will build its local capacity and capability for mass livestock depopulation in a foreign animal disease or FAD outbreak event

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission a $127,792 Cooperative Agreement under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) beginning September 1, 2025, with a completion date of June 30, 2027. This award supports the Commission's capacity-building initiative to enhance local preparedness and response capabilities for mass livestock depopulation during foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks. The primary products and services include acquisition of specialized depopulation equipment, purchase of a respirator fit testing machine, and comprehensive training delivery to livestock inspectors, veterinarians, carcass disposal technicians, laboratory personnel, livestock producers, and other emergency responders on the proper use of emergency response equipment during animal disease outbreak events.

The award directly strengthens Arkansas's animal disease emergency response infrastructure by reducing the state's dependency on federal resources during FAD outbreak events, improving biosecurity protocols, and providing producers with additional response options. By equipping and training local emergency responders and enhancing the state's operational capabilities for disease outbreak management, this project protects livestock producers' livelihoods and supports food supply safety across the agricultural sector.

The project will reduce waste during emergency response events, increase biosecurity, give more response options for producers, and reduce the state's dependency on federal entities for resources to control and stop an FAD outbreak. The project includes acquiring depopulation equipment and purchasing a respirator fit testing machine, training personnel to use the equipment, and using the equipment for emergency response. The project will ensure that livestock inspectors, veterinarians, carcass disposal technicians, laboratory personnel, livestock producers, and others are trained and equipped to use emergency response equipment in an animal disease outbreak. This project benefits arkansas' livestock producers by training local animal disease emergency responders and building the state's capabilities to manage animal disease outbreaks. Animal disease preparedness projects like this help ensure a safe food supply and protect the livelihoods and economic opportunities of farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.