The safety of Pennsylvania’s food supply is a paramount responsibility of the Department of Agriculture.
In animal agriculture, safe food begins with healthy animals.
Pennsylvania is home to nearly 200 million livestock and poultry, from beef and dairy cattle, goats, sheep and hogs, to chickens, turkeys and ducks.
We place a high priority on the health of our animals to ensure that consumers are receiving safe, nutrient-dense proteins raised in Pennsylvania.
The health and safety of our poultry and livestock begins on the farm under the skilled care of our farmers and their employees in partnership with veterinarians.
One critical element in the process is our Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System, which is foundational to the continued strength of Pennsylvania’s poultry and livestock industries.
Built on a tripartite partnership of veterinarians, scientists and technicians from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State University, and the University of Pennsylvania, the PADLS team demonstrates unwavering dedication to the health, safety and welfare of families, farmers and their animals.
Over the past year, the PADLS team has been focused on a multitude of issues facing agriculture, not least of which is battling highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Testing at these labs includes autopsies, biopsies, microbiology, molecular testing, parasitology, prions, serology and virology. In addition to the nearly 250,000 animals tested by the Pennsylvania Vet Lab, PADLS completed more than 612,000 tests on specimens to detect or rule out avian influenza, chronic wasting disease and rabies.
Our PADLS team conducts research, analyzes data, and works with a broad scope of colleagues and partners to find innovative solutions that improve overall animal health. The information the researchers find is critical to our Pennsylvania farmers and processors as we all work collaboratively to ensure a safe and secure food supply.
Our highly skilled PADLS team works in state-of-the-art, Tier 1 nationally accredited animal health laboratories. We have seen the value of this laboratory system and partnership as we respond to the threats to our food system. They truly are our front line of defense in moments when disease threatens our animals, our food supply, and our livelihoods. Without their invaluable help, our industries could not continue to grow, particularly in light of the complex issues that we face.
Source: lancasterfarming.com
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Pennsylvania, Livestock, Hogs, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Goats & Sheep, Poultry