Agri-Security Surveillance
Who We Are and What We Do
Missouri is one of the most diversified agriculture states in the nation. Our work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other relative agencies and associations is dedicated to protecting our agricultural products. The Division of Animal Health, Agri-Security program works to promote and protect Missouri agriculture through education and outreach regarding biosecurity, secure food supply plans, and disaster and emergency preparedness planning.
Biosecurity
One of the best ways to protect your animals, whether pets, livestock or poultry, from getting sick is to practice good biosecurity. Biosecurity is another way of saying “infectious disease control.” Biosecurity includes actions that keep diseases, and the germs that cause them (viruses, bacteria, funguses, parasites and other organisms), away from animals, property and people. Whether animals are on the farm, moving from one site to another, going to auction, participating in a show/event, or are part of the agrotourism industry, biosecurity is critical in protecting the food supply for Missouri and our nation.
Diseases can be spread through physical contact, by contamination of inanimate objects (clothing, boots, vehicles, equipment, etc.), through inhalation of the disease agent in aerosolized droplets, and by consumption of contaminated food or water. Biosecurity practices reduce the risk of transmission.
The basics of biosecurity are listed here:
Biosecurity for exhibition animals:
Secure Food Supply Plans
Protecting your farm or ranch with an enhanced biosecurity plan through the Secure Food Supply System can help ensure your farm is protected for the next generation. In the event of a disease outbreak involving highly contagious pathogens, state and federal officials will immediately limit livestock movement to control disease spread.
Producers with a Secure Food Supply Plan will be better positioned to move animals under a movement permit and maintain business continuity within their industries.
Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan
The Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan provides guidance to help producers prepare before a disease outbreak and to aid in limiting exposure to diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease and to maintain business continuity in the event they find themselves within a control area.
Secure Pork Supply Plan
The Secure Pork Supply Plan provides guidance to help producers prepare before a disease outbreak and to aid in limiting exposure to diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease and to maintain business continuity in the event they find themselves within a control area.
Secure Beef Supply Plan
The Secure Beef Supply Plan provides guidance to help producers prepare before a disease outbreak and to aid in limiting exposure to diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease and to maintain business continuity in the event they find themselves within a control area.
Secure Milk Supply Plan
The Secure Milk Supply Plan provides guidance to help producers prepare before a disease outbreak and to aid in limiting exposure to diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease and to maintain business continuity in the event they find themselves within a control area.
Secure Poultry Supply Plan
The Secure Poultry Supply Plan provides guidance to help producers prepare before a disease outbreak and to aid in limiting exposure to diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and to maintain business continuity in the event they find themselves within a control area.
This Small Flock Biosecurity Plan template serves as a guide for small flock producers. Please fill out the template, for your own use, to ensure your poultry operation is biosecure.
Secure Goat, Milk & Mohair Supply Plan
The Secure Goat, Milk & Mohair Supply Plan provides guidance to help producers prepare before a disease outbreak and to aid in limiting exposure to diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease and to maintain business continuity in the event they find themselves within a control area.
Federal Premises ID Registration
The first step in developing a biosecurity plan for your farm is to register for a federal premises ID
number (PIN). You can do so by clicking the link to register with an online form, or by calling
the Missouri Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division at (573) 751-3377.
PIN
Registration Form
Missouri Premises Registration Brochure
As foreign animal diseases such as avian influenza and African swine fever continue to pose threats to the Missouri livestock industry, the Missouri Department of Agriculture encourages producers to create, or tighten, biosecurity plans on their farms. The first step in developing a biosecurity plan is to register for a federal premises ID number (PIN).
A PIN is a unique code permanently assigned to a single physical location. This number can be assigned to locations where animals are born, managed, marketed or exhibited. PIN registration is administered by the state of Missouri and allows animal health officials to quickly and precisely identify where animals are located in the event of an animal health or food safety emergency. Information gathered through premises registration will be used solely for animal health purposes. This critical data will provide animal health officials with necessary contact information in case of a serious disease concern.
If you have already registered for a PIN in the state of Missouri, but have forgotten the number, or need to update information pertaining to the premises, call MDA at (573) 751-3377.
Emergency Preparedness / Disaster Planning
There are unique considerations for pets, horses and livestock during a disaster. Preparing ahead of time and acting quickly are the best ways to keep you and your animals safe. Protect your whole family when emergencies arise with the proper supplies, veterinary information, animal identification and an evacuation plan that has been practiced. Whether the threat is a tornado, flood, wildfire or other disaster, lives may depend on being prepared.
Protecting your farm involves several considerations including family members, co-workers or employees, buildings, equipment, livestock and crops. Planning ahead for all-hazard situations can help to minimize the impact and speed up recovery process for you and your family and farm.
Developing a Plan
- Assemble an evacuation kit with supplies for each species on the farm.
- Stay involved with your county emergency management agency and learn what alert plans are in place for your community.
Other items to record when developing your plan include crop types, number of acres and crops stored
on the farm. Keep a record of all machinery and equipment, including serial numbers. Include any
hazardous substances such as fuel, fertilizer and medicines on your list.
Emergency Preparedness Resources:
Animal Health Emergency Training Tools
and Resources
Farm Emergency Preparedness Planning
Preparing for Livestock Emergencies
Disaster Preparedness for Large
Animals and Livestock
Poultry Depopulation and Disposal Plan
Swine Depop and Disposal
Agri-Terrorism and Ag Crimes
Missouri is one of the most diversified agriculture states in the nation. Its agricultural industry is vulnerable to agri-terrorism due to the endless miles of fields and pastures. The need for constant improvement of Agri-Security awareness and best practices is crucial to the agriculture community. Agri-Security efforts by farmers and ranchers will greatly aid in the prevention of acts of terrorism. Reporting unusual circumstances, regardless of where they occur, will aide in the effort to keep our industry safe and viable.
To report suspected agri-terrorism, call the Missouri Department of Agriculture at (573) 751-5625.
Rural crimes are classified by the Missouri State Highway Patrol as burglaries and theft of equipment, fuel, livestock, chemicals, grain and metal, as well as property damage or arson. Since 2009, law enforcement officials have investigated more than 1300 incidents and recovered more than $6 million in agricultural property.
To report an agriculture crime, contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol Rural Crimes Investigative Unit hotline at (888) 484-8477. Calls are taken 24 hours a day, seven days a week and callers may remain anonymous.
Livestock & Farm Protection signs are available for $10 through the Agriculture Business Development Division. To purchase, call (573) 751-4762 or email abd@mda.mo.gov.
Additional Resources