Department of Agriculture and Markets

New York State Cattle Health Assurance Program (Follow-Up Report)

In the New York State Cattle Health Assurance Program, the Department of Agriculture and Markets helps farmers detect, control and eradicate communicable diseases among dairy and beef cattle. In audit 2004-S-25, we examined the actions taken by the Department to measure the effectiveness of the program and maximize farmer participation in the program. We found the Department had not developed quantifiable performance measures and formal systems for monitoring program effectiveness. We recommended that such measures and systems be developed. We also found that, while the Department had taken a number of actions in an effort to increase farmer participation in the program, it had not developed a formal and consistent approach for these efforts. We recommended that such an approach be developed. When we followed up on these matters with Department officials, we found they had made considerable progress in implementing our audit recommendations.

For a complete copy of Report 2007-F-32 click here.