Interstate Response to Animal Disease Outbreak to be Tested

On Thursday of this week, October 22, 2009, the states of Kansas and Oklahoma are going to conduct the “nation’s first emergency response exercise to test interstate coordination and the logistics of implementing a stop livestock movement order when one is issued by state animal health officials.”

As the Oklahoma Farm reports story states, SAMS-KO, stands for Stop Animal Movement Statewide-Kansas Oklahoma. The real-time test to be conducted in coordination between the two states will involve those from state troopers to “area Vets and other who will be stopping trucks as if they were prepared to seal the border.”

The state officials will conduct and direct their respective state operations from the state capitals. The test could likely provide valuable information to other states on how to respond and coordinate with neighbors during a disease outbreak. Once an outbreak occurs conducting trace back investigations and preventing animals from traveling and possibly spreading the disease are timely procedures.

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is an attempt from the federal government to create the trace back procedures and to require the “tagging and record keeping” of certain animals so that a 48 –hour trace-back of the animal’s movement and the other animals that might have come into contact with the sick animal. The NAIS has become quite controversial for both livestock producers and elected officials. There is little word yet on whether or not the plan between Oklahoma and Kansas has engendered the same amount of, or any at all, controversy.

Odds are many states agricultural officials will be paying attention to what happens between the two Midwestern states on Thursday when the test is conducted.

To read the Oklahoma Farm Report story click here.

Posted: 10/19/09