Objective:
Under this agreement, ARS will collaborate with APHIS, FAS and Department of Defense (DOD) Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in the project, “Collaborative International Engagement to Prevent and Mitigate Threats from Especially Dangerous Pathogens in Agriculture” in order to support the President’s National Strategy for Countering Biological Threats. The Project specifically targets the following mutual objectives. 1) Coordinate USDA and DTRA programs with partners in a manner that establishes mutual priorities for engagement ; 2) Expand international partnerships and bioengagement; 3) Strengthen partners’ capacities to comply with World Organization for Animal Health guidelines for surveillance, detection, diagnosis and reporting of notifiable diseases; 4) Promote development of international guidelines for safety and security of high risk pathogens/toxins; 5) Support partner efforts to apply safety and security practices in a risk-based and sustainable manner.

Approach:
The Office of International Research Programs (OIRP) of ARS, in coordination with FAS, APHIS and DTRA will provide program management and administrative approval and oversight to ensure that all collaborations are consistent with ARS objectives and U.S. foreign policy. OIRP will work with additional relevant partners to engage scientific experts in agricultural research, development, monitoring and surveillance. The priority countries for collaboration between USDA and DTRA under this agreement include Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine.