The Plant Protection and Weed Control Program is the state government agency responsible for protecting Kansas plant resources from agroterrorism.

Four of the eight select agents identified by USDA as potential bioterrorism threats have the potential to impact Kansas agriculture. They are:

• Java downy mildew, caused by Sclerophthora rayssiae var. zeae
• Philippine downy mildew, caused by Peronosclerospora philippinesis
• bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, race 3, biovar 2
• potato wart, caused by Synchytrium endobioticum

Staff are alert to these select agents as they perform plant pest surveillance activities.

In cooperation with USDA, program staff participated in an emergency response effort to the introduction of bacterial wilt in Kansas in 2004. Infected plants had been received in the state and staff worked to successfully eradicate the infestations.

Program staff participate in emergency response exercises and training on a regular basis.   

• Pine Wilt Community Action Plan
• Kansas Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan revision 4-27-15
• Kansas Food and Agriculture Incident Annex

• Several incident drills and outreach training with Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant

• Weed, disease and pest exercises with the homeland security trailer, 3 separate scenarios

• Table top exercise for preparation for full scale exercise
• Full scale plant health emergency exercise - 3 day exercise
• Table top exercise in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Partnering for Success During a Plant Health Response - 2 day exercise
• Incident Management Team Certification

• Table top exercise - preparation for functional emergency exercise
• Functional emergency exercise in conjunction with Oklahoma's full scale exercise

• Incident Command System Management - 3 day course

• Foot and Mouth Disease Exercise - 2 day exercise

• Incident Management Team Exercise
• FEMA Tabletop Exercise

2015 -

• Incident Command System team for Avian Flu incident
• Functional emergency exercise for permit management

• Animal Disease Response training

• Emergency Support Function #11 – Agriculture and Natural Resources Annex