PA Farms Mailing - Important information!The Pennsylvania Farm
Premise Identification Project Web site

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What is the Farm Premise Identification Project?

The Farm Premise Identification Project is an important component to PAHERDS, the Pennsylvania Animal Health Emergency Response and Diagnostic System. Fundamentally, this comprehensive GIS-enriched management system will allow the Bureau of Animal Health to effectively identify an animal or groups of animals, the premise where they are located, and when they first arrived at that premise. The system will facilitate disease preparedness by allowing the state to locate any animals exposed to disease and promptly notify and implement intervention procedures. On discovery of a disease, the system will perform 48-hour tracebacks on suspect animals to determine direct exposure to other animals and facilities.

Why is the Farm Premise Identification Project Important?

In today's society, we have a greater threat than ever imagined of "agroterrorism" -- attacks against farm crops, livestock, produce or packaged foods. Some experts have suggested that our nation's food supply may be more vulnerable than any skyscraper, bridge or nuclear power plant because of the simplicity. Deadly viruses, bacteria and fungi can be literally thrown out a car window while going down a back road. Something so simple could bring catastrophic effects to crops, livestock, and humans, and completely destroy the $45 billion agricultural component to Pennsylvania's economy.

Greater resources and technology are necessary to prevent intentional as well as unintentional attacks on Pennsylvania agriculture. Information technology along with Geographic Information Systems can greatly assist in lessening and preventing disease spread.