Meat + Poultry - September 2006 - 52

FSI INSIDE THOUGHTS

Opportunity for vigilance

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The threat of bioterrorism is usually associated with the intentional outbreaks
of diseases affecting humans. Anthrax, smallpox and plague are considered among the
most feared. While this method of terrorist
attack is certainly one that should be of the
highest concern, a secondary mode of attack
against our homeland has received little attention, even though the effect on the U.S. as
a whole could be catastrophic. Agriculture is a
weak link in our nation's struggle against terrorism. The majority of diseases that affect
plants and animals are relatively easy to obtain, produce and deploy. Biological agents
are inexpensive and almost impossible to detect, and while human pathogens are extremely dangerous to the handlers, the
agents for agroterrorism are routinely not
hazardous to the perpetrators.
Agroterrorism is any act in violation of
U.S. criminal laws, or of any state statute,
which involves the intentional destruction of
our society's food source. The high concentration of livestock to facilitate feeding, transportation and slaughter, and the centralized collection of crops for storage and transportation,
as well as the nature of our food-processing industry, make our agricultural resources extremely vulnerable to a terrorist attack.
America has seemingly taken for granted
the fact that for generations, the agriculture
and food-processing industries have provided
an abundant, affordable and safe food supply
for the United States and the world. Consequently, it is difficult for citizens to imagine a
time when the availability of plentiful, safe
and affordable food could become a scarce
commodity. This nightmare becomes all too
real when one considers the highly vulnerable
state of livestock and crops to an act of bioterrorism, and the fact that some experts estimate that no major U.S. city has more than a
seven-day supply of food. While several state
and federal agencies involved in agricultural
issues understand the devastating consequences of such an act, there is a limited appreciation by the rest of the country, including
the law-enforcement community, for the economic, social and national-security importance
of the agriculture and food industries.

2 FSI

FOOD SYSTEMS

ınsıder

SEPTEMBER 2006

Historically, only a few federal agencies
have been involved in addressing biological
events within these industries. These agencies
include the USDA, the Department of Health
and Human Services, the FDA and, recently,
the Department of Homeland Security. Each
of these agencies provides a leadership role
in the protection of America's agriculture and
food industries. However, the delegation of
responsibility among federal agencies should
not detract from the fact that once an act of
terrorism has occurred, the criminal investigation of that act falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the FBI and related law-enforcement agencies. The success of law
enforcement's efforts to identify and neutralize agroterrorism is contingent upon receiving timely intelligence and notification of the
occurrence.
The FBI and the Heart of America Joint
Terrorism Task Force hosted the first International Symposium on Agroterrorism in Kansas
City, Mo., last year to address agroterrorism
concerns. The event brought together more
than 800 representatives from private industry; law enforcement; federal, state and local
government; public health and veterinary departments; and science and academic institutions to discuss methods to prevent, detect
and investigate potential threats to the food
supply. Building upon the overwhelming success of the inaugural event, the second ISA is
currently planned for Sept. 25-29, 2006, at the
Westin Crown Center in Kansas City.
The U.S. is at a pivotal juncture in addressing the issue of agroterrorism. Agricultural leaders, key stakeholders and law enforcement must work together to ensure that the
proper laws, procedures and resources are in
place to mobilize quickly and resolve any potential threat or attack. Assembling these individuals and discussing the integral issues is the
primary purpose of the ISA. The U.S. must avail
itself of this unique opportunity to be vigilant
and promote this opportunity for coordination and collaboration.
Craig Watz, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI
David C. Cudmore, Special Agent, FBI

In this issue ...
Defending dinner:
What are the
threats to our food
supply? . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Perspective: What is
your segment doing to
increase security? . . . 8
FSI Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Survey exposes
security breaches . . . 12
ISA agenda. . . . . . . . . 14
FSI Insights . . . . . . . . . 15
FSI Numbers . . . . . . . . 15
Media Watch:
Another inconvenient
truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Insider on theWeb: www.
foodsystemsinsider.com

http://www.foodsystemsinsider.com

Meat + Poultry - September 2006

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