HD55 - Performance Goals and Strategies


Executive Summary:
Item 97 of the 2004 Appropriation Act requires the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) "work with the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry to develop performance goals and strategies to measure the impact of the department's activities in these areas: (1) marketing and product promotion; (2) food safety and inspection services; (3) animal industry veterinary services and diagnostic laboratory services; and (4) plant pest and disease control services. The department shall submit these goals and measures by December 1, 2004, to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees. . . ."

The Department utilizes a strategic plan to establish and implement agency goals and objectives and to support agency priorities in delivering services to its clients. Working with the Secretary of Commerce and Trade and the guidelines prepared by the Department of Planning and Budget, the Department has developed a strategic plan for the 2004-06 biennium. The department's mission and goals are as follows:

Mission:

We promote the economic growth and development of Virginia agriculture, encourage environmental stewardship and provide consumer protection.

Goals:

1 . Enhance opportunities for the growth and profitability of the Virginia agriculture industry.

2. Ensure a safe and wholesome food supply.

3. Provide agricultural and consumer protection services which support economic growth, encourage environmental stewardship and meet consumer needs.

4. Increase Agency services and productivity through new technology, e-government applications, work processes and procedures, and training

5. Provide services which prevent or minimize the impact of emergency agricultural infestations, animal disease outbreaks, foodborne illness outbreaks, and natural and manmade disasters.

The primary performance objectives in the Agency Strategic Plan that are required by this report are as follows:

(1) Agribusiness Development

To increase the level of capital investment in agribusiness by $10 million each year for the period 2005-2008, through the efforts of VDACS' Agribusiness Development Services. (Objective 1.1 in the Agency Strategic Plan)

(2) Marketing and Product Promotion

To increase by two percent, based on a five-year average value, the value of Virginia food, agricultural and forestry products marketed with assistance and collaboration from VDACS (Division of Marketing) by June 30, 2005. (Objective 1.6 in the Agency Strategic Plan)

(3) Food Safety and Inspection Services

To enhance food safety and security programs for citizens of the Commonwealth by increasing by three percent (from 38,351 to 39,502) the number of food safety and security inspectional activities of regulated food establishments by June 30, 2005 to ensure a safe and wholesome food supply for Virginia. (Objective 2.1 in the Agency Strategic Plan)

(4) Animal Industry Veterinary Services

To protect and promote Virginia's animal and poultry industries by conducting livestock market and sales inspections, reviewing and issuing animal health certificates, conducting investigations and tracebacks, issuing quarantines and eradication notices, maintaining Virginia's Tuberculosis, Brucellosis and Pseudorabies free status, enforcing livestock and poultry regulations and entry requirements on a continuous basis, and implementing five new disease and response capabilities through June 30, 2006. (Objective 5.1 in the Agency Strategic Plan)

(5) Animal Industry Diagnostic Laboratory Services

To protect and promote Virginia's livestock and poultry industries and protect domestic animals by conducting 598,464 diagnostic laboratory tests each year to aid in the prevention and control of animal diseases through June 30, 2006. (Objective 5.3 in the Agency Strategic Plan)

(6) Plant Pest and Disease Control Services

To Increase by 5% the number of inspections, certifications and compliance monitoring conducted to protect Virginia's agricultural and horticultural resources from injurious plant pests and diseases and to support the sale and export of agricultural commodities through June 30, 2006. (Objective 3.11 in the Agency Strategic Plan)