Secure Food Supply Planning Services

Secure Food Supply planning is an important consideration for the U.S. livestock industry. Currently, more than 20 states are experiencing infections from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Approximately 23 million birds have been depopulated. As state and federal responders work to manage the outbreak, producers should consider developing and implementing Secure Food Supply Plans to protect their flocks and their businesses. Similarly, with African Swine Fever detected in the Dominican Republic, pork producers who do not have a Secure Food Supply Plan in place should start planning.

What is a Secure Food Supply (SFS) Plan?

A Secure Food Supply Plan offers guidance to producers to achieve two goals:

1. Maintain continuity of business or returning to business in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak.
2. Help effectively control and eradicate a foreign animal disease, primarily by preventing the spread of infection.

A complete SFS Plan will include operating procedures for preparedness, risk assessment, enhanced biosecurity, surveillance standards, and applicable movement control and permitting guidelines.

During a foreign animal disease outbreak, states may require a permit to move any animals or products on and off farms. Having an existing SFS Plan puts a producer at the front of the line for getting permits to move animals during an outbreak.

Producers with operations located in control areas for a foreign animal disease should contact their state department of agriculture to determine requirements for moving animals and products. If the movement required crosses state borders, an operation must contact both the origin state and the receiving state authorities.

How do SFS plans, and enhanced biosecurity measures, protect production?

SFS planning takes time and resources, both of which are in short supply after an outbreak occurs. For that reason, operations should create an SFS Plan in advance of a foreign animal disease outbreak.

Advance planning allows operations to:

• Train personnel on enhanced biosecurity measures.
• Assess risks and address current gaps in biosecurity and standard operating procedures.
• Identify sources for any required additional equipment and supplies.
• Educate the operation on how to work with local, state, and federal responders during an outbreak.
• Understand state and federal movement controls, and the permitting process.

Foreign animal disease outbreaks can move quickly and spread globally. The 2022 HPAI outbreak was first identified on February 8, 2022, and then spread to over 20 U.S. states in less than two months. ASF was identified in China in 2018 and has since spread to at least 15 countries, including the Dominican Republic. Protecting your animals and operation can require rapid response to changing conditions. This is a challenge if you are not prepared. With an SFS Plan in place, your operation can immediately implement protective measures and reduce risk.

How does an SFS Plan support producers and farmers?

SFS Plans may help avoid lengthy interruptions in critical activities such as transport of feed and movement of animals to and from uninfected farms. SFS Plans help ensure both the continuity of your business and a continuous supply of safe food to consumers. Operations that have an SFS Plan can receive priority for permitted movement, which expedites the process and helps ensure continuity of business.

Who should have an SFS Plan?

SFS Plans fit the needs of producers and farms with mid- to large-scale operations, as well as related businesses such as feed mills, haulers, renderers, and processors.

In the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak, however, all owners of vulnerable livestock should take measures to prevent the spread of disease. These operations can include petting zoos, breeders and exhibitors, and small farms or animal owners. For example, HPAI has affected back yard bird owners as well as large producers. The USDA’s Defend the Flock program has resources and tools for backyard poultry owners.

Are SFS Plans required?

SFS Plans are voluntary, even during an active outbreak. However, states may require an operation to have an SFS Plan to receive a permit for moving animals into and out of control areas.

Resources

SFS Planning, Biosecurity, and Animal Health Emergency Management

1. Secure Food Supply, The Center for Food Security & Public Health, Iowa State University
   Training Resources, Templates, and Tools for Multiple Species
2. Foreign Animal Disease Information, Animal Health Emergency Management, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
   Resources and Information on Foreign Animal Disease
3. SES Emergency Management and Enhanced Biosecurity Planning
   Consulting Services for Enhanced Biosecurity Planning, and Preparedness Exercises and Training, Movement Control and Permitting Workshops

Resources for Poultry Owners and HPAI Information

1. HPAI Information, Animal Health Emergency Management, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
   Information on the 2022 HPAI Outbreak
2. Secure Poultry Supply Program, University of Minnesota
   Secure Poultry Supply Plan information operations including eggs and byproducts, live birds, and chicks
3. org, The Center for Food Security & Public Health, Iowa State University
   Biosecurity Planning Templates and Tools
4. Defend the Flock, USDA
   Biosecurity Resources and Program for Backyard Birds

Resources on ASF

1. Overview of ASF, World Organization for Animal Health
   Global Situation, Prevention, and Control
2. Secure Pork Program
   Biosecurity Planning Templates and Tools

SES, Inc. is one of the few consulting firms in the United States that has the relevant experience and existing relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies to help producers develop a Secure Food Supply Plan or plan for enhanced biosecurity. Learn more about our Emergency Management Services for Foreign Animal Disease.