Actions Completed for Emergency Preparedness:

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), with the Office of Emergency Services (OES), has established procedures to coordinate the evacuation and relocation of livestock.

CDFA, will assist the Department of Pesticide Regulation and County Agricultural Commissioners (CACs) with the communication of best management practices regarding the storage and handling of pesticide inventories.

Actions Taken to Prepare for El Niño:

CDFA will coordinate disaster information with CACs, County Farm Bureaus, and commodity and industry groups.

CDFA will work in conjunction with OES, the California Veterinary Medical Association, CACs, the California Animal Control Directors Association, the University of California (UC) at Davis Veterinary School, and the UC Cooperative Extension Service concerning the evacuation and relocation of livestock and pets.

CDFA will facilitate the communication of disaster/emergency information to the agricultural community through CDFA's website/home page at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov.

CDFA will participate in the OES Coastal Region Mutual Aid Regional Advisory Committee, which will facilitate the formalization of roles and responsibilities, both public and private, to ensure animal safety during disasters.

Public Information Contacts:

Kevin Herglotz

Katheryn Carlisle
916/654-0462