United States

Department of

Agriculture

Animal and

Plant Health

Inspection

Service

Program Aid 

No. 1845

Implementing the Animal 

Health Safeguarding Review:

Summer 2005 Status Report

Implementing the Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Summer 2005 Status Report 3

I

n 2000, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) program requested that the National Association of State 

Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) conduct a review of the U.S. animal 

health safeguarding system. This request followed several years of conversation between VS and its stakeholders regarding the changing global agricultural environment and the state of readiness of the system.

NASDA was asked to do a comprehensive review assessing the effi cacy of the 

activities, authorities, infrastructure, partnerships, policies, and procedures 

which comprise the existing safeguarding system. The report submitted by 

NASDA in October 2001 achieved that goal. It contained thoughtful principles 

and recommendations from each of the four committees that carried out the 

review: Domestic Detection and Surveillance, Exclusion, International Information, and Response. The report also made a number of overarching recommendations.

VS has been working hard to respond to the recommendations put forth in 

the Safeguarding Review, and we are pleased, in this report, to highlight some 

of the signifi cant progress that has been made. We also discuss steps necessary for continued success in addressing the issues raised by the Safeguarding 

Review.

Much of the progress highlighted in this report has been achieved through the 

invaluable input, ideas, and assistance afforded to us by NASDA and others. 

VS will continue to rely on this support. The goals set forth in the Safeguarding Review and in action plans that VS has written to respond to it are expansive. Achieving those goals will require resources, collaboration, and a 

long-term commitment from VS and its stakeholders. Only by working 

together will the overall safeguarding vision be fully realized.

VS greatly appreciates the support of NASDA as we partner together to safeguard the health of U.S. agriculture, and we look forward to continued cooperation as we work toward a world-class safeguarding system. 

John R. Clifford

Deputy Administrator, Veterinary Services

U.S. Department of Agriculture–APHIS

Washington, DC

Foreword

Implementing the Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Summer 2005 Status Report 5

Congress and the United States Department of 

Agriculture must provide funding and act to 

rebuild the state and national infrastructure 

for animal disease control, emergency disease 

preparedness and response.

—EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FROM THE

ANIMAL HEALTH SAFEGUARDING REVIEW, PAGE 3

The National Association of State Departments 

of Agriculture’s (NASDA) Animal Health Safeguarding Review was a call to action to rebuild 

the State and national infrastructure for animal disease control, emergency disease preparedness, and 

response. A number of steps have been taken in the 

years since the release of the Review to lay the foundation for achieving this goal.

The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) was 

enacted in 2002. This Act consolidated the various 

authorities under which the Veterinary Services (VS) 

program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 

(USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS) operates, some dating back to the late 

1800s, and replaced them with one fl exible statutory 

framework that better equips VS to perform its 

various animal-health safeguarding activities. The 

Act gave VS new authorities to provide an effective 

and effi cient response to modern-day challenges. 

One important new provision authorized VS to treat 

progeny of imported animals the same as imported 

animals. This capability is important for controlling 

diseases with long incubation periods, such as bovine 

spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). In addition, the Act 

strengthened VS’ ability to prosecute individuals who 

smuggle animals or animal products into the country. 

Under the previous statutes, the maximum civil penalty 

VS could impose was $1,000 per violation. The AHPA 

increased civil penalties to a maximum of $50,000 

for individuals and up to $500,000 for other entities 

in certain circumstances. The Act established a fi rm 

statutory foundation for animal-health safeguarding 

activities at the Federal level.

The VS budget increased signifi cantly in fi scal year 

(FY) 2003 after an extended period of slow growth. 

Between FY 2002 and FY 2005, VS’ appropriated 

funds more than doubled. With these increased funds, 

VS has been able to add approximately 300 permanent staff—a 20-percent increase—to address, at least 

partially, the understaffi ng noted in the NASDA review. 

Personnel were added in key positions in surveillance 

and emergency response. Most notably, VS created 

the National Surveillance Unit (NSU) and put Area 

Emergency Coordinators in place throughout the 

United States. The FY 2002–05 increases in funding 

and staffi ng provided a platform from which VS could 

begin initiating many of the changes identifi ed in the 

Safeguarding Review.

Increased funding has also allowed VS to provide 

funds to State cooperators through grants and cooperative agreements. State partners have used these 

funds to improve their infrastructure. In FY 2002 and 

2003, VS distributed $5.4 million and $7.5 million, 

respectively, in funds to bolster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery systems. These funds 

were used for training, purchasing equipment, and 

conducting emergency exercises. In FY 2004 and 

2005, VS provided $13 and $14 million, respectively, 

in support of the National Animal Identifi cation System 

(NAIS).

Laying the Foundations for Change
6 Implementing the Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Summer 2005 Status Report

In response to the Safeguarding Review’s numerous 

indications of the need for improved communications, 

VS took quick and decisive action to improve information sharing with stakeholders. In May 2002, VS initiated quarterly calls with State animal health offi cials and 

VS’ own Area Veterinarians-in-Charge. Regular calls 

were also instituted with the executive board of the 

United States Animal Health Association, the directors 

of laboratories certifi ed by the American Association 

of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), and 

NASDA. These established communications channels 

have served VS and its stakeholders well during the 

many animal health emergencies that surfaced during 

the past few years. VS initiates conference calls with 

these groups whenever there is “breaking news” and 

holds daily or weekly calls during the initial period of 

each new emergency.

Animal-health emergencies during the past several 

years have also provided opportunities to develop a 

united approach to emergency management between 

VS and its State partners. Joint command structures 

were established during the outbreak of lowpathogenicity avian infl uenza in Virginia, the exotic 

Newcastle disease (END) outbreak in the Western 

United States, and the BSE events of 2003 and 2005. 

The Incident Command System (ICS) was utilized in 

responding to these disease threats, providing on-thejob experience for Federal, State, and private-sector 

responders. During the END outbreak, more than 

4,000 individuals participated in the eradication task 

force. Working closely together on these emergencies has fostered a shared understanding of the ICS 

between VS and its State partners.
Implementing the Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Summer 2005 Status Report 7

Like the NASDA review teams, APHIS recognizes the 

importance of technology as a foundation for rebuilding the national infrastructure. In early 2003, APHIS 

formed the Coordinating Offi ce on Technology, Information, and Assessment (COTIA) to coordinate the 

agency’s efforts in identifying, adopting, and utilizing 

technology. COTIA works to expand the sharing of 

information about technologies of potential benefi t to 

APHIS work, coordinates the assessment of technologies, and facilitates the use of appropriate, cost-effective technologies across the agency. COTIA has been 

instrumental in forging linkages within APHIS regarding the use of technologies such as geospatial information systems. COTIA has also sponsored science 

and technology forums.

In the fall of 2004, VS hired a Chief Information Offi cer 

(CIO) to better coordinate its approach to information 

systems. The VS CIO is working hard to foster good 

working relationships with USDA’s information technology personnel. The CIO is also improving VS’ compliance with a variety of new statutes and directives 

governing information technology investment within the 

Federal Government. Centralizing the oversight of its 

information technology investments under the CIO will 

allow VS to maximize the results obtained from them.

VS continues taking steps to improve its effectiveness 

as an organization, a need which surfaced several 

times in the Safeguarding Review. A cross-utilization 

effort is underway whereby VS personnel exchange 

places or complete temporary details in other VS positions. The intent of this program is to instill a greater 

understanding across VS of the challenges faced at 

each level of the organization.

A new national recruitment coordinator was hired in 

June 2004 to improve VS’ recruitment and outreach 

activities. VS has expanded its new-employee training program to additional job series (the program had 

previously been targeted to new veterinarians). In its 

new-employee training program, VS has begun using a 

combination of in-class training and materials delivered 

via training CDs and the Internet. VS is also implementing new agency requirements for ongoing training 

for supervisors and for aligning performance plans for 

supervisors with strategic goals.

VS also continues to examine its structure. One such 

effort seeks to establish consistency and standards in 

staffi ng levels for area offi ces based on activities. VS 

is currently engaged in a process to examine workforce and workload issues across the organization with 

the goal of identifying future needs and better aligning 

resources with outcomes. Moreover, VS is examining 

how best to add additional resources to meet its communication needs. VS intends to add a planning unit 

to assist in new program and strategic planning. ■

Implementing the Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Summer 2005 Status Report 9

Domestic Detection and Surveillance

[C]urrent strategy focuses on detection of a 

limited number of diseases in specifi c species 

and does not have the fl exibility to effectively 

detect and respond to new and emerging 

disease. In addition, the programs suffer from 

the lack of a single coordinating process for 

surveillance programs.

(EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, PAGE 8)

VShas taken steps to create a National 

Animal Health Surveillance System

(NAHSS) under the leadership of the 

newly created National Surveillance Unit (NSU). In 

addition, VS placed the VS Assistant Deputy Administrator in the newly created National Surveillance 

Coordinator position with primary responsibility for the 

NAHSS. This system approaches surveillance from 

the more holistic perspective recommended in the 

Safeguarding Review. Leadership provided to date 

from the NSU has included leading a Surveillance 

Standards workgroup, conducting evaluations of current VS surveillance systems (including BSE), developing the strategic plan for the NAHSS, establishing the 

initial groundwork for coordinating zoonotic disease 

surveillance, and cataloging all “program” disease surveillance efforts, such as surveillance for pseudorabies 

and bovine tuberculosis.

To foster the common vision and sense of urgency 

about surveillance recommended in the Safeguarding Review, the NSU is publishing a bimonthly electronic communication that disseminates information 

on surveillance issues to all VS employees, as well as 

presenting surveillance information at VS conferences.

In addition, a Surveillance Steering Committee has 

been formed. This Steering Committee allows surveillance stakeholders an opportunity to view VS’ plans 

and to share differing perspectives on surveillance 

approaches.

Through State–Federal–industry partnership and 

cooperation, VS has been steadily implementing a 

National Animal Identifi cation System over several years and has made signifi cant progress. The 

goal of the NAIS is to be able to identify all animals 

and premises that have had contact with a foreign or 

domestic animal disease of concern within 48 hours 

after discovery. The ability to conduct 48-hour tracing 

investigations will help limit the scope and expense of 

the outbreak and minimize the impact on domestic and 

foreign markets.

Addressing Individual NASDA Committee Recommendations
10 Implementing the Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Summer 2005 Status Report

With technical and fi nancial assistance from VS, as of 

June 2005, 49 States, 2 U.S. territories, and 5 Native 

American Tribes have operational premises-registration systems. Identifying animals requires a standard 

nomenclature, and in November of 2004, VS published 

an interim rule that established the “840” number as an 

offi cial animal identifi cation number.

Market forces often create the best solutions, and VS 

has also established species-specifi c working groups, 

bodies comprised of government and industry experts, 

to incorporate into the NAIS stakeholder suggestions 

about numerous issues. The cattle working group has 

recommended radio frequency identifi cation as the 

preferred identifi cation method for cattle. VS has posted the draft strategic plan and draft program standards 

on the NAIS Web site, <http://www.usda.gov/nais>. 

These documents refl ect current thinking on how best 

to move forward with full implementation of the NAIS. 

Among the highlights of the thinking paper are moving to mandatory participation through a phased-in 

approach with full implementation by 2009. Animal 

identifi cation and premises registration are projected to 

be mandatory by 2008, and reporting defi ned animal 

movements is projected to be mandatory by 2009.

Confi dentiality of information collected by VS is a 

concern for stakeholders and affects VS’ ability to continue to create a NAHSS and an NAIS, and to achieve 

other safeguarding-related activities. VS established a 

task force in mid-2004 to examine the legislative and 

regulatory climate surrounding privacy and confi dentiality. In addition to the Freedom of Information Act 

and Privacy Act, a number of new laws and directives 

such as the E-Government Act of 2002 pertain to this 

issue. The task force has been working to identify 

improvements and compile recommendations that, 

when implemented, will make VS fully compliant with 

all relevant statutes. Full compliance is the fi rst step 

needed to protect privacy and confi dentiality.

VS has also submitted a legislative proposal that will 

strengthen the confi dentiality of data collected as part 

of the NAIS. The task force will be submitting its fi nal 

recommendations to the VS management team in the 

fall of 2005.
Implementing the Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Summer 2005 Status Report 11

Exclusion

The current and future trade environment 

for animals and animal products requires 

a fl exible, quick-response, integrated effort 

including federal agencies, state agencies, and 

industry.

(REVIEW REPORT, PAGE 37)

I

n March 2003, about 2,500 APHIS border inspection personnel were transferred to the newly established Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unit 

within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

This transfer negated the need for action on some of 

the review recommendations (those related to integration between Plant Protection and Quarantine [PPQ] 

and VS) and complicated VS’ ability to implement 

others.

APHIS has been working on a series of articles to 

supplement the Memorandum of Agreement signed in 

2003 by APHIS and DHS. These articles will establish 

appropriate and effective processes for sharing information and resources, communicating regulations and 

policies, and carrying out other activities to support the 

shared mission. VS recognizes that continued collaborative efforts with CBP will be critical.

Since receiving the Safeguarding Review, VS has 

worked to improve its quarantine facilities. In the 

fall of 2004, VS opened new animal import facilities 

in Miami, FL. In addition to the improvement in 

operations afforded by the updated and expanded 

animal-handling and holding facilities, the Miami 

Animal Import Center is also utilizing new technology 

to improve operations. An online animal reservation 

system allows brokers to make their own reservations 

for space at the facility. Within the import center, staff 

utilize handheld devices to enter medical examination 

data into an Automated Quarantine Examination 

System (AQES). AQES has the ability to automatically 

generate the Quarantine Release form and other 

documents when the quarantine period is completed.

VS will be making improvements to the New York Animal Import Center. These improvements will address 

critical needs and allow the facility to continue to operate optimally into the future.

In 2004, VS established review teams to examine 

operations at 12 Canadian and 11 Mexican land 

border ports. During 2004, these teams visited each 

site and utilized a standardized survey form to gather 

information about facilities, personnel, procedures, 

operations, and suggestions from port personnel on 

how to better execute their responsibilities and improve 

safeguarding at the land border ports. The reviews 

showed that each port has unique challenges based 

on factors such as agricultural demographics, facilities, 

import traffi c patterns, location, staffi ng, and relations 

with CBP. Serious shortcomings were identifi ed in the 

areas of facilities and equipment, partnership relationships, standard operating procedures, and training. 

An action plan detailing the teams’ recommendations 

was submitted to and approved by the VS Management Team. VS is actively working to implement these 

recommendations.
12 Implementing the Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Summer 2005 Status Report

International Information

The effective collection, analysis, and use of 

International Animal Health Information are 

indispensable to safeguarding animal and 

human health.

 (REPORT, PAGE 51)

VShas joined an effort initiated by two other 

APHIS units—International Services (IS) 

and Plant Protection and Quarantine 

(PPQ)—to establish better collection and sharing of 

information about global animal-health events, a major 

concern raised in the Safeguarding Review. A secure, 

Web-based Offshore Pest Information System 

(OPIS) has been created as a real-time system for 

the collection and management of information about 

animal and plant health events occurring worldwide.

Coordinators within PPQ and VS route issues that 

potentially require action through a decision process 

within their organizations. Alerts are issued as needed to personnel in DHS–CBP at the ports-of-entry. 

Weekly reports are sent to APHIS personnel from the 

system in order to increase knowledge within APHIS 

about global animal-health events.

IS has begun adding additional positions overseas to 

improve the collection of this global health information. 

Information from open-source surveillance conducted 

by VS is entered into the system as well. Greater 

access to global animal-health information improves 

VS’ ability to assess risk and to take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of disease.

APHIS continues to work closely with the World 

Organization for Animal Health (OIE) by means of 

the continued placement of a staff member at OIE’s 

headquarters in Paris, France, and active engagement 

in working groups and committees.

A Memorandum of Understanding signed with the OIE 

provides the organization access to global animalhealth information obtained by VS’ open-source 

surveillance system. The goal of providing this 

information is to support the organization’s efforts to 

improve transparency regarding animal-health issues.

VS’ OIE collaborating centers in Ames, IA, and Fort 

Collins, CO, continue to offer training to international 

participants. Courses include the diagnosis of foreign 

animal diseases, epidemiology, and risk assessment. 

VS also began offering a course on the identifi cation 

and analysis of emerging animal-health issues that 

has helped foster sharing of approaches to surveillance and analysis of emerging issues across national 

boundaries.

As recommended in the Safeguarding Review, VS 

continues to evaluate potential new approaches for 

gathering international animal health information. A 

VS–IS review team made site visits in late 2004 and 
Implementing the Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Summer 2005 Status Report 13

early 2005 to several countries, where the team met 

with a variety of international organizations (see table). 

During these visits, the team evaluated the potential 

for collaborations and sharing of international animalhealth information. The team’s recommendations have 

been provided to the VS Management Team for its 

consideration.

Response

A dynamic response plan is necessary to 

control domestic and foreign animal diseases 

and issues. It should include:

— enhanced training and education;

— mobilization of adequate supplies,

 resources, and trained personnel;

— clarifi cation of roles and responsibilities;

— coordination of the myriad response

 providers.

(EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, PAGE 17)

With the ongoing technology explosion and 

current resource limitations, it is no longer 

reasonable to expect one laboratory system 

such as the National Veterinary Services 

Laboratories (NVSL) to provide support across 

the entire animal health spectrum. Expertise 

associated with state labs should become part 

of the national strategy and a resource for 

dealing with the various situations.

(REVIEW REPORT, PAGE 72)

As NASDA was delivering its review to VS, the 

threat landscape and the emergency-management paradigm were undergoing fundamental 

change in the wake of the events of September 11th 

and the anthrax attacks. VS has played an important 

role in developing responses to this new landscape. 

VS is also working hard to prepare its organization to 

meet the challenges posed by this new environment.

In March 2004, DHS issued the National Incident 

Management System (NIMS) to provide a comprehensive national approach to incident management 

applicable at the Federal, Tribal, State, and local levels. 

All Federal departments and agencies are required to 

adopt the NIMS and use it in their individual incidentmanagement and emergency-prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery activities. VS is 

working hard to implement NIMS requirements, including having most employees trained in the ICS 100 and 

200 curriculum, which prepares employees for emergency response.

Table 1

Organizations visited by the VS–IS review team

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization 

(headquarters and regional offi ces in Asia and the 

Middle East)

International Atomic Energy Agency

Regional Reference Laboratory for Foot and Mouth 

Disease, Thailand

Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources

International Livestock Research Institute

U.S. Agency for International Development

Arab Organization for Agricultural Development

Naval Medical Research Laboratory (Egypt)

World Animal Health Organization (Asia–Pacifi c and 

Southeast Asia regional offi ces)

Pan-American Foot and Mouth Disease Center

Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on 

Agriculture

International Regional Organization for Plant and 

Animal Health

Passenger Predeparture Inspection Program 

(Dominican Republic)

Uzbekistan Ministry of Agriculture and Water 

Resources
14 Implementing the Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Summer 2005 Status Report

VS has worked with USDA-level offi ces to craft versions of the ICS training courses that provide agricultural examples. VS is working with DHS and other 

agencies to help State and local authorities obtain, 

manage, and coordinate resources. Fostering these 

relationships is critical to APHIS’ responsibilities 

under the National Response Plan and under the 

NIMS. Implementing the NIMS addresses many of the 

Safeguarding Review recommendations that called for 

better integration between animal-health emergency 

responders and the broader response community.

 

A new National Response Plan (NRP) was issued in 

early 2005. The NRP is comprehensive and addresses all hazards and represents ”one plan, one goal: a 

safer, more secure America.” The plan’s goal is to 

create the network of trained Federal, Tribal, State, and 

local personnel necessary to respond to any allhazards incident.

VS played a critical role in drafting the NRP and Emergency Support Function–11 (ESF–11) document which 

is 1 of 15 annexes to the NRP. These annexes detail 

various emergency situations by topic and specify the 

agency that would be designated to lead the appropriate response. ESF–11 addresses food and agriculture emergencies, and, under the NRP, USDA is now 

designated as the lead agency for ESF–11. Therefore, 

even when the President does not declare an agricultural event a national emergency under his or her 

Stafford Act authority, DHS is authorized to activate 

the NRP and designate USDA as the lead responder. 

In fact, VS has begun operating under the new NRP 

by responding to the Federal Emergency Management 

Agency’s mission assignments for hurricane relief 

efforts in the southeastern United States.

VS is collaborating with the Agricultural Research 

Service (ARS) and Department of Defense on establishing a National Veterinary Stockpile (NVS). Initial 

efforts have focused on developing outbreak scenario 

models; evaluating vaccines, supplies, and equipment 

for countermeasures; and providing economic analysis 

of factors contributing to the stockpile. An NVS steering committee has been formed and has held several 

meetings. Stockpiling efforts have already begun for 

identifi ed supplies, vaccines, and materials necessary 

for a response to any foreign animal diseases (FADs).

In 2005, APHIS began collaborating with an interagency group to identify a Target Capabilities List 

designed to provide guidance on the specifi c capabilities and levels of capability that Federal, Tribal, State, 

and local entities will be expected to develop and 

maintain in the event of an incident. The List will assist 

jurisdictions and agencies in understanding and defi ning their respective roles in a major event, the capabilities required to perform a specifi ed set of tasks, and 

where to obtain additional resources if needed.

Accredited veterinarians are the backbone of the surveillance and eradication efforts of USDA regulatory 

programs for livestock and poultry diseases. Eighty 

percent of all U.S. veterinarians are USDA–APHIS-
Implementing the Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Summer 2005 Status Report 15

accredited veterinarians. These veterinarians assist 

with inspecting, testing, and certifying activities related 

to Federal animal-health and disease programs. 

The National Veterinary Accreditation Program’s 

(NVAP) manual and additional training modules will be 

made available within the next year, as recommended 

by the Safeguarding Review. The 

revised manual for 

Accredited Veterinarians will be 

distributed to fi eld 

offi ces in fall 2005.

The fi nal report for 

the Comprehensive 

Assessment of 

Veterinary Accreditation and Foreign 

Animal Disease 

Training at Schools 

of Veterinary Medicine evaluated the 

state of veterinary 

accreditation training and relevant FAD 

instruction at each college of veterinary 

medicine in the country. VS received that 

report in May 2004 and is using it to guide 

future refi nements of the NVAP training 

and FAD education. FAD training opportunities are 

planned for the accredited veterinarians to further 

enhance their valuable skills and to strengthen their 

surveillance and response capabilities.

VS and its partners in ARS, USDA’s Cooperative State 

Research, Education, and Extension Service, and the 

American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) have taken steps to create a 

National Animal Health Laboratory Network

(NAHLN), which is an important component of a 

national response system for animal health. The 

NAHLN concept reconfi gures animal diagnostic 

services in the United States by positioning NVSL as 

the lead U.S. animal-health laboratory networked with 

select laboratories operated by State and university 

offi cials who cooperate in FAD surveillance and related 

services. This arrangement enhances the various U.S. 

animal-health diagnostic-service and response efforts, 

should an FAD be detected in the United States. VS 

has recently hired a full-time NAHLN Coordinator to 

oversee the continued development of the NAHLN.

The majority of States now have laboratories assisting 

NVSL in providing Federal animal diagnostic services; 

however, only the 12 original pilot NAHLN laboratories currently receive ongoing infrastructure funding. 

A key component in maximizing the effectiveness of 

the NAHLN is the availability of rapid diagnostic tests. 

APHIS and ARS have developed and are utilizing a 

shared protocol for fi eld-validating rapid diagnostic 

tests being developed by ARS.

The effort by VS and 

ARS to modernize 

laboratory facilities

in Ames, IA, is coming to fruition. The 

Phase I Laboratory 

became fully operational in September 

2004. Ground was 

broken for the Large 

Animal High Containment Facility on September 23, 2003. When completed, this complex will be utilized for animal housing 

and training of personnel. Design of the Phase II 

laboratory is nearing completion. This building will be 

comprised of two main laboratory wings, a vivarium, 

and an administration building and will provide space 

for animal-health research, diagnostics, and biologicalproduct testing.

In addition to improved facilities, VS and ARS are also 

working more closely together to achieve greater effi ciencies of operation, even closer collaborative work, 

and the fostering of a world-class animal-disease 

research and service culture. ■

Implementing the Animal Health Safeguarding Review: Summer 2005 Status Report 17

The Path Forward

Upon receiving the Safeguarding Review from 

NASDA, VS established a structure for reviewing the recommendations and developing 

action plans. The 152 review recommendations were 

distributed to 7 issue groups for their consideration. 

These groups then identifi ed key issues to be addressed and began drafting action plans to identify 

activities and steps to take. In all, 44 action plans were 

crafted by these issue groups and approved by the VS 

Management Team. Summaries of the action plans 

are available at the VS Safeguarding Web site: <http://

www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/safeguarding/index.html>.

Many of the accomplishments discussed above fulfi ll 

the steps outlined in these plans. There is, however, 

more work to be accomplished. For example, VS 

needs to continue building surveillance networks and 

integrating its surveillance activities into the National 

Biosurveillance Integration System being developed by 

DHS. Quality-assurance and laboratoryaccreditation issues are areas for continued improvement at the Center for Veterinary Biologics and NVSL 

facilities. Continued development and refi nement of 

approaches and access to data (including data housed 

in CBP) are important for continuing to improve VS’ 

approach to pathway analysis and risk assessment. 

Additional work is also needed in understanding the 

role that wildlife plays in animal disease spread.

In order to maintain momentum, VS has named a 

Safeguarding Implementation Coordinator to continue 

to oversee the implementation of the action plans. 

This coordinator will be responsible for monitoring 

progress in implementing the remaining action plans 

and for assisting the VS Management Team in identifying and addressing the resource needs associated 

with the continued implementation of these plans.

Much of the progress VS has made in meeting the 

principles and recommendations identifi ed in the 

Safeguarding Review has been achieved through 

support from VS’ stakeholders. Continued support 

will be needed to fi nish the job. The vision set forth 

in the Safeguarding Review and in VS’ action plans is 

expansive, calling for the creation of a National Animal 

Health Surveillance System, a National Animal Health 

Laboratory Network, and a National Animal Identifi cation System, along with the full incorporation of agriculture into the National Response Plan, and creation of a 

National Veterinary Stockpile and a revamped National 

Veterinary Accreditation Program. Each of these 

efforts requires resources, collaboration, and long-term 

commitment from VS and its stakeholders.

The call to action sounded in the Safeguarding Review has been heard, and APHIS and its partners are 

well on the way to achieving the safeguarding system 

needed in the United States to meet the challenges of 

the 21st century. ■

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of 

race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, 

religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s 

income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, 

etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250–9410, 

or call (800) 795–3272 (voice) or (202) 720–6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Issued October 2005