Implement the ADT program and the overarching goals to advance ADT established by the USDA.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded a $100,150 Cooperative Agreement to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025). The agreement is intended to implement APHIS' Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) program and advance its overarching goals. Key activities include conducting national priority traces, distributing RFID and official identification tags, entering data into USAHERDS/AGENTERPRISE, conducting outreach to veterinarians and industry, and reviewing documents for completeness and accuracy. The agreement aims to support improved animal disease traceability and response capabilities, benefiting livestock producers, accredited veterinarians, and industry stakeholders. The agreement period runs from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.

Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to implement the ADT program and the overarching goals to advance ADT established by the USDA.

Activities

Conduct national priority traces (NPT) when initiated by the national ADT staff. Distribute rfid and official identification tags to producers and accredited veterinarians. Data entry to enter tag distribution, data from program disease documents and icvis. Conduct outreach to veterinarians and members of industry. Review documents for completeness and accuracy. Deliverables and expected outcomes: successfully completed npts. Increased application of rfid tags. All documents' data entered in usaherds/agenterprise. The goals are outlined in the approved work plan and are to conduct animal traceability in a timely and effective manner. The evidence required will be based on the quarterly reports that will be reviewed to ensure that the goals have been meet for the performance period of the agreement.

Intended beneficiaries

Livestock producers, accredited veterinarians and marketing stakeholders will benefit from efficiencies through increased use of rfid devices and electronic documentation. This will also benefit the industry and regulatory officials during a disease investigation or outbreak through improved ability to trace diseased and exposed animals.