Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness Stakeholder Focus Groups
As modern agriculture in Iowa has changed and grown, and concerns surrounding a global animal health incident have increased, it is critical to ensure Iowa veterinarians and producers are informed regarding current state processes to deal with a foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreak. The economic impact of a foreign animal disease outbreak, such as foot-and-mouth disease, in the United States has been estimated at $14 billion — roughly 9.5% of U.S. farm income. From the cost to eradicate to the loss of export markets and the restricted movement of animals, the potential impact paints a grim picture and underscores the importance of prevention, early detection and a rapid response.
To best meet the needs of our partners and producers around the state, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship would like to hear how we can better help you prepare for a potential foreign animal disease outbreak.
We need your help to determine stakeholders’:
- Awareness of FAD threats, response plans, and opportunities to minimize operational and supply chain disruptions if an outbreak occurs
- Current level of FAD preparedness
- Expectations of roles and responsibilities during an outbreak
- Needs to better prepare for an outbreak and how the Department can help
We want to hear from you – your stories, your concerns and your questions.
How Can I Help?
Participate in one of the Department’s upcoming focus groups. In December 2021 and January 2022, the Department will host 5 focus groups around the state. Three species-specific sessions will be offered at each location to ensure that we capture the needs of each group.
- Jan 12, 2022 – Carroll
- Jan 13, 2022 – Sioux Center
- Jan 18, 2022 – Washington
- Jan 19, 2022 – Independence
Register here. Registration should only take 5-10 minutes. Specific focus group times and event details for each location will be provided during the registration process. We hope you can join us!