Florida state agricultural response team; emergency response to animal, agricultural, and vector issues.

The Legislature finds that the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the lead agency for animal, agricultural, and vector issues in the state. Pursuant to this responsibility, there is established within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services a state agricultural response team.

(1) The state agricultural response team, in coordination with the division, is responsible for the development, training, and support of county agricultural response teams and other nonemergency support functions.

(2) During emergency or disaster situations, as described by the Florida Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, the division shall coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the purposes of:

(a) Oversight of the emergency management functions of preparedness, recovery, mitigation, and response with all agencies and organizations that are involved with the state’s response activities to animal, agricultural, and vector issues; and

(b) Staffing the Emergency Support Function 17 at the State Emergency Operations Center and staffing, as necessary, at county emergency operations centers.