USDA is responsible for coordinating veterinary or agriculture support to affected states and premises during incidents harming either plant or animal agriculture. Emergency response operations during an agricultural incident that involves livestock or other large animal populations will need a sufficient number of veterinarians and animal health technicians to manage a variety of critical actions: 1) ongoing animal health and animal care issues, 2) access to additional veterinary testing and diagnostics that support the identification of contaminated premises and animals/plants and of the contaminant itself, and 3) preventing contaminated materials from reaching the food supply. Where contamination is found, movement will be halted in and out of the premises, animals will be depopulated (plants will be removed by “roguing”) and safely disposed of, and the area will be decontaminated. The NVS includes equipment for use in veterinary emergencies, including PPE and decontamination supplies, depopulation equipment, and large animal handling equipment. In addition to providing resources to be used on animals, NVS resources (PPE, etc.) may be provided to agricultural responders.
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