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 The
Department of Homeland Security has published the following update
on US activities aimed at preventing agricultural terrorism attacks.
“Today's world poses unprecedented new
threats to US agriculture. While inspections have traditionally
focused on accidental introduction of harmful pests and diseases,
a post-September 11 world demands that we also focus on the deliberate
introduction of these threats. Through the Science and Technology
division, the Department of Homeland Security is harnessing the
nation's scientific knowledge to protect against agricultural terrorism
in the following ways:
Plum Island Animal Disease Center,
a Leader in Animal Disease Research
On June 1, 2003, the Science and Technology division assumed responsibility
for the operation of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC)
in New York. PIADC, which was previously a part of the Department
of Agriculture, is focused on protecting the nation from agricultural
terrorism. Plum Island scientists conduct research to protect the
health of livestock across America from high-consequence foreign
animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease.
In September 2003, the Plum Island Animal Disease Center held its
100th foreign animal disease school for veterinarians and health
experts from across the United States and overseas. The Foreign
Animal Disease School has trained more than 3,000 veterinarians
over the past 30 years.
In December 2003, Homeland Security took two
additional steps to further strengthen this important facility -
Dr. Elizabeth Lautner, was named as Plum Island Center Director
and the Department signed a new operating contract with Field Support
Services, Inc.
National Biodefense Analysis Countermeasures
Center, Providing Analysis of Terrorist Events
The National Biodefense Analysis Countermeasures Center was established
with an interim capability at Ft. Detrick Army base near Washington,
D.C. and additional operations at the Department of Energy National
Laboratories and other government laboratories. The Center serves
three main functions: providing scientific assessment of emerging
biological threats both to people and to agriculture; in partnership
with the Federal Bureau of Investigation it establishes a new national
capability for performing forensic analyses on bioterror events;
and works with the Plum Island Animal Disease Center to conduct
research to help defend against agroterrorism.
Homeland Security Centers of Excellence,
engaging the academic community
The academic community will play a key role in securing America
from many potential threats, including agroterrorism. To facilitate
this involvement, the Department has established university-based
Homeland Security Centers of Excellence (HS-Centers), to attract
and retain the nation's best and brightest academic scholars in
pursuit of homeland security related disciplines. In December 2003,
the Science and Technology division released a Broad Agency Announcement
calling for proposals that will focus on research efforts to combat
agro-terrorism. The notice invited colleges and universities to
submit letters of intent by January 5, 2004, followed by full proposals,
due on February 9, 2004. The Department anticipates establishing
two HS-Centers by April 2004; one will focus on combating animal
related agro-terrorism and the other will focus on post-harvest
food security.
Using our Scientific Resources to Protect
Against Agroterrorism
The Science and Technology division is currently conducting systems
studies and activities to fully examine the issue of agroterrorism.
This research includes models, simulations and tabletop exercises
designed to:
* Explore the epidemiological and economic consequences of an agroterrorism
event
* Analyze the research and development requirements for foreign
animal disease and food security scenarios.
* Develop key enabling technologies and tools to prevent, detect,
respond, and recover from the intentional or unintentional introduction
of biological agents into the national agricultural and food systems.
Advanced detection surveillance systems, such
as BioWatch, were developed initially for pathogens of concern for
human public health. However, Science and Technology is currently
conducting systems studies to explore the potential utility of such
technology in agricultural scenarios.
The Science and Technology division is collaborating
on agroterrorism issues with other organizations in the Department
of Homeland Security, such as Customs and Border Patrol. In addition,
the division is working with the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural
Research Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
and the Department of Health and Human Service's Food and Drug Administration
to further develop national plans for mitigation and response to
high consequence threats.”
•Date:
5th February 2004 •Region: N.America •Type:
Article •Topic:
Terrorism
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