RRT Maintenance Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA)

PROJECT ABSTRACT The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) is applying for the RRT Maintenance Track of Development and Maintenance of Human and Animal Food Rapid Response Teams (U2F) Clinical Trials Not Allowed to ensure the Pennsylvania Rapid Response Team (PA RRT) remains robust, active, and ready to respond to human food and animal feed emergencies in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is a large state with a population of nearly 13 million residents. In 2021, Pennsylvania’s economic output of agricultural sectors totaled $81.5 billion, with food manufacturing, animal processing, crop processing, animal production, and crop production accounting for $55.5 billion. It is of primary importance for Pennsylvania to prevent and adequately respond to emergencies that jeopardize the safety and resiliency of food, feed, and other agricultural industries within the Commonwealth. As the nation’s food supply is global in nature, complex food and feed emergencies often become multistate, and require an integrated, rapid response. This project is intended to expand and build upon the established PA RRT framework, increase the expertise of utilizing an ICS/NIMS framework for response, solidify our multi-agency ownership approach, and increase the knowledge and involvement of local and county health departments in Pennsylvania. The project will prioritize continuous improvement of the PA RRT, continued collaboration with neighboring states and FDA District partners, greater proficiency at traceback and environmental assessments, and communicating investigatory outcomes and best practices with industry, other stakeholders, and regulatory partners.