Pests and Animal Disease

USDA protects the health and value of American agriculture and natural resources.

Through many years of experience in animal disease and plant pest and disease response, as well as in-depth research to develop the necessary tools to assist, USDA continues to expand and evolve its emergency response programs.

USDA works closely with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide assistance and coordination during all-hazards emergencies, including natural disasters.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) makes sure that plans and capabilities are tested in advance, before an emergency. To protect agricultural health, APHIS is on the job 24 hours a day, 7 days a week working to defend America's animal and plant resources from agricultural pests and diseases.