Author
|
Submitted to: Phytopathology News
Publication Type: Popular Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 3/18/2008 Publication Date: 4/1/2008 Citation: Luster, D.G. 2008. National Plant Diagnostic Network Five-Year Review: Report of the Review Panel. Phytopathology News. 42(4): 46-47 Interpretive Summary: The National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) was established by the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service from federal funds in 2002 to fill a major gap in timely, effective and state-of-the art diagnostic capability for threatening and emerging diseases of concern to the nation’s agricultural system. Initial efforts were focused upon establishing five regional hub labs at Land Grant Universities (LGU’s) representing the Northeast, Western, Southern, Great Plains and North Central regions. The network has rapidly expanded since 2002 to encompass diagnostic clinics at LGU’s in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, with partner clinics in two U.S. territories. The mission of the NPDN is centered upon national agricultural security, being charged with rapid detection, diagnosis, and early communication of outbreaks of high priority plant pathogens. In January of 2007, the NPDN Executive Committee convened a review panel, consisting of professional representatives from major stakeholders and partners of the NPDN, to conduct a critical review of all facets of the NPDN. The Review Panel, met and communicated with NPDN representatives, partners, and stakeholders, and developed a report that addresses NPDN mission, scope, accomplishments and challenges. The report also provides specific recommendations for future improvement of the Network. A condensed version of the Executive Summary of the NPDN Five Year Review Report is presented here. Technical Abstract: The National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) was established by the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service from federal funds in 2002 to fill a major gap in timely, effective and state-of-the art diagnostic capability for threatening and emerging diseases of concern to the nation’s agricultural system. Initial efforts were focused upon establishing five regional hub labs at Land Grant Universities (LGU’s) representing the Northeast, Western, Southern, Great Plains and North Central regions, which were conceived to address differences in agricultural production systems in the respective regions. The network has rapidly expanded since 2002 to encompass diagnostic clinics at LGU’s in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, with partner clinics in two U.S. territories. The mission of the NPDN is centered upon national agricultural security, being charged with rapid detection, diagnosis, and early communication of outbreaks of high priority plant pathogens. The network coordinates and communicates with county and state extension agents, state departments of agriculture and the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine during outbreaks in implementing its mission. Training of first responders and diagnosticians is an essential component of the NPDN, ensuring that the network is prepared for the scope of its mission in the event of an outbreak. In January of 2007, the NPDN Executive Committee convened a review panel, consisting of professional representatives from major stakeholders and partners of the NPDN, to conduct a critical review of all facets of the NPDN. The Review Panel, met and communicated with NPDN representatives, partners, and stakeholders, and developed a report that addresses NPDN mission, scope, accomplishments and challenges. The report also provides specific recommendations for future improvement of the Network. A condensed version of the Executive Summary of the NPDN Five Year Review Report is presented here. |
