The Wisconsin Agro-Security Resource Network (WARN) is a network of agriculture and government groups whose goals are to:
- Facilitate an industry-wide awareness and response to an animal health emergency or crisis incident involving Wisconsin agriculture.
- Quickly disseminate scientific, accurate information to media, producers and industry groups and consumers.
- Maintain consumer confidence in Wisconsin's food products and U.S. food safety systems.
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Food and agriculture is critical to the economic health of Wisconsin, representing $59 billion dollars in economic value to the state. Safeguarding this critical industry requires a coordinated, organized effort between industry groups and government agencies. To achieve this coordinated approach, Wisconsin agriculture came together to form WARN as a way to safeguard our diverse industry.
WARN is an industry-driven organization that has a network of agricultural and food safety professionals who can communicate to consumers and industry stakeholders in concert with regulatory officials in the event of a crisis affecting Wisconsin food and agricultural systems. WARN facilitates emergency preparedness between the agricultural sectors and government agencies. WARN also serves as a coordination center and educational forum for private sector crisis preparedness materials and training for agro-security related programs.
Having a seamless, coordinated communications plan in place along with government agencies during an incident is of paramount importance. The only way to "communicate with one voice" is through advanced planning and having key messages already prepared. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the responding agencies helps industry groups better communicate the facts to consumers, customers, the news media and other key audiences.
If an event threatening food or agriculture in Wisconsin occurs, WARN can activate an Incident Communications Center (ICC) to gather, validate and distribute information critical to maintain consumer confidence that ensures continued access to markets for Wisconsin products and the health of our industries. WARN has established partnerships with many local, state and federal agencies, and food and agriculture organizations statewide and nationally. All members have agreed that WARN will be focal point of Wisconsin information during threatening events.
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