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.