Knowing who to call in the event that an agroterrorism incident has occurred is crucial to reducing harm. The responsible authorities will vary from state to state, so you will need to develop your own contact list. This will require a bit of homework, but learning the "who's who" of emergency response is an important learning and planning process. EDEN has developed two forms to help you plan and prepare for agricultural emergency events and incidents: a Biosecurity Emergency Phone Number and Contact List and an Emergency Procedures Checklist.  These forms are two of the many planning resources included in EDEN's on-line Plant BioSecurity Management Course, developed by University of Missouri Extension.

Some emergency preparedness guidelines include:

• In the event of an obvious incident that is in progress or is a threat to personal/public health and safety, call 911.  Provide as many details to the operator as possible including specific location, details of event being observed, descriptions of people/vehicles/activities, and other pertinent information.
• If you are a livestock producer and discover that animals in your care are ill, lame, or showing other unusual symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. Vets are a key first line defense to our agricultural security system.
• If a crop or plant-related issue is suspected, many local Extension agents/educators have received training and can help as a first responder. Most states maintain plant and animal disease diagnostic laboratories with staff trained to respond to these types of emergency events. Your local Extension office should know who to contact.
• Depending on state and type of incident, your state's lead agency in the event of an agroterrorism incident might be a Department of Agriculture, Health, Public Safety or Board of Animal Health (in Minnesota or Indiana).
• Check ahead of time to see if your state has a central contact number for reporting such incidents.
• If an event HAS occurred, it is important that you (and workers and family members) stay AWAY from the actual site to avoid disturbing evidence. A site where an agroterrorism event has occurred may also be unsafe because of the presence of hazardous chemical or biological agents.

National Level: 

The lead federal agency in safeguarding American livestock and poultry health, and in responding to a foreign animal, emerging or re-emerging disease, is the USDA-APHIS, Veterinary Services Division (VS). Veterinary Services protects and improves the health, quality, and marketability of our nation's animals, animal products and veterinary biologics by:  

• Preventing, controlling and/or eliminating animal diseases, and
• Monitoring and promoting animal health and productivity