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Agroterrorism: Preparing for an Attack Tanya Benjamin, MPH Student Walden University PUBH 6165-

Learn about the threat of agroterrorism, its impacts on food supply and the economy, and steps for prevention. Discover why the U.S. is vulnerable and potential attack methods.

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Agroterrorism: Preparing for an Attack Tanya Benjamin, MPH Student Walden University PUBH 6165-

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  1. Agroterrorism: Preparing for an Attack Tanya Benjamin, MPH Student Walden University PUBH 6165- Instructor: Howard Rubin Spring, 2011

  2. Objectives • Defining Agroterrorism • Impacts of an attack on agriculture • Learn why the United States is vulnerable • Look at possible attack methods • Steps to Prevention

  3. Introduction • What is Agroterrorism? • Effects of attack on food supply • Effect of attack on population • Impact to economy Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105 Foxwell, J. W. (2001). Current Trends in Agroterrorism (Antilivestock, Anticrop, and AntisoilBioagricultural Terrorism) and Their Potential Impact on Food Security. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 24:107–129. Monke, J. (2007). CRS Report RL3252, Agroterrorism: Threats and Preparedness.

  4. Importance of Agriculture in the US • Significant contribution to the economy • Employment in agriculture • Revenue from exports • Low food cost Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105.

  5. Why an Agriculture attack • Agriculture is a simple portion of the US economy to disrupt • Inexpensive terrorism method compared to nuclear weapons • Biological agents are easy to produce. • Tools needed for an attack are readily available Foxwell, J. W. (2001). Current Trends in Agroterrorism (Antilivestock, Anticrop, and Antisoil Bioagricultural Terrorism) and Their Potential Impact on Food Security. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 24:107–129 Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105.

  6. The Food Process: Hoof to Plate FARM LIVESTOCK SALE BARN FEEDLOT SLAUGHTERHOUSE PROCESSING FACILITY WHOLESALER WAREHOUSE RETAIL FIGURE 1. FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN45 (ANIMAL). Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97- 105.

  7. Why the U.S is Vulnerable for an attack

  8. Vulnerability of Agriculture • Transportation of food supply • Lack of security • Plants and animals are susceptible to a larger amount of biological agents • International trade • Lack of technology and resources Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105.

  9. Concentration • Concentration is specific geographical location • Close proximity of producers • Faster spread of disease • Large amount of crops in one area Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105

  10. Centralized Ownerships • Vertical Integration • Pork industry top 40 producers control 90% of production. • 30 cattle feeding companies account for 50% of beef products. • Even more mergers are occurring between top companies. Foxwell, J. W. (2001). Current Trends in Agroterrorism (Antilivestock, Anticrop, and Antisoil Bioagricultural Terrorism) and Their Potential Impact on Food Security. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 24:107–129. Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105.

  11. Overcrowding of livestock • Husbandry practices • Large amounts of livestock in small pens • High animal-per-acre ratios • Antibiotic use • Foxwell, J. W. (2001). Current Trends in Agroterrorism (Antilivestock, Anticrop, and Antisoil Bioagricultural Terrorism) and Their Potential Impact on Food Security. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 24:107–129.

  12. Pesticide Resistance • Pesticides used as routine pest control • Lack of crop diversity • Crops are not rotated • Introduction of non- native weeds and organisms Foxwell, J. W. (2001). Current Trends in Agroterrorism (Antilivestock, Anticrop, and Antisoil Bioagricultural Terrorism) and Their Potential Impact on Food Security. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 24:107–129.

  13. Possible Attack Strategies

  14. Available Agents • List A pathogens • List B pathogens • List C Pathogens • Genetically altered insects Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105.

  15. Attack Strategies • Contamination of Livestock or plants • Direct contamination of the food supply • Contamination of animal feed • Contamination of water supply Foxwell, J. W. (2001). Current Trends in Agroterrorism (Antilivestock, Anticrop, and Antisoil Bioagricultural Terrorism) and Their Potential Impact on Food Security. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 24:107–129.

  16. Avian Influenza • Strain of the human influenza virus that attacks birds. • High communicable disease • Variability of the disease changes yearly • Previous outbreaks in the United States Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105.

  17. Campylobacteria • Pathogen associated with contaminate poultry, raw milk, and water • Found naturally in abundance in nature • Currently causes about 700 deaths annually in the U.S. • Linked to a variety of other diseases Foxwell, J. W. (2001). Current Trends in Agroterrorism (Antilivestock, Anticrop, and Antisoil Bioagricultural Terrorism) and Their Potential Impact on Food Security. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 24:107–129.

  18. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) • Viral disease that effects a variety of animals. • Most contagious animal disease • High mortality rate • Almost a 100% infection rate in animals exposed Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRP), 2011. Foot and Mouth Disease. Retrieved from http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/biosecurity/ag-biosec/anim-disease/foot- mouth.html. Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105.

  19. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (“mad cow disease”) • Caused by a prion • and causes neurological disorders in cows. • Can be passed to humans that eat infected meat. • Prevalent in the UK, only 3 confirmed cases in the U.S Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2011. BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or Mad Cow Disease). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/bse/.

  20. Plant Pathogens • Affect production of crops • Difficult to identify • Only small amounts needed • Great economical impact Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105.

  21. Contamination of seeds • Contamination of seeds with disease causing agent. • May cause deformed crops • Taint seeds yield tainted crops • Simple attack method Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105.

  22. Contamination of Water Supply • Contamination of ground water • Dumping of materials that consume oxygen • Contaminating groundwater used for irrigation • Contamination of water with viruses • Foxwell, J. W. (2001). Current Trends in Agroterrorism (Antilivestock, Anticrop, and Antisoil Bioagricultural Terrorism) and Their Potential Impact on Food Security. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 24:107–129.

  23. Preventing an attack

  24. Steps to Prevention • Border inspections • Surveillance • Adequate knowledge on possible biological weapons • Implement biosecurity measures. • Increased biodiversity • Advance technology Monke, J. (2007). CRS Report RL3252, Agroterrorism: Threats and Preparedness. Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105. Gyles, C. (2010). Agroterrorism. The Canadian Veterinary Journal. La Revue Veterinaries Canadienne, 51(4), 347-348

  25. Coordination between Agencies • Selection of one lead agency • Delegation of responsibilities • Interchange of information and resources • Coordination of systems Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105.

  26. Handling an attack

  27. Steps to handling an attack • Stop the spread of the disease at the source • Confinement and eradication of the disease or pest • Economic recovery • Reestablishment of export and trade markets • Rebuilding of confidence in the food market • Compensation for destroyed animals to farmers Monke, J. (2007). CRS Report for Congress order code RL3252, Agroterrorism: Threats and Preparedness

  28. Review • Impacts on the economy • Reasons why an attack is likely • Vulnerabilities within the food supply chain • Possible attack methods • Prevention steps • Handling an attack

  29. Resources for Preparedness planning • http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodDefense/FoodDefensePrograms/ucm080836.htm • http://emergency.cdc.gov/cotper/cphp/fy04/rural.asp • http://www.usda.gov/homelandsecurity • http://homelandsecurity.gpworldwide.com/exAgroTerr.aspx

  30. References Cupp, O.S., Walker, D.E., Hillison, J. Agroterrorism in the U.S.: key security challenge for the 21st century. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science,2004;2(2):97-105. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2011. BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or Mad Cow Disease). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/bse/. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRP), 2011. Foot and Mouth Disease. Retrieved from http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/biosecurity/ag-biosec/anim- disease/foot-mouth.html. Foxwell, J. W. (2001). Current Trends in Agroterrorism (Antilivestock, Anticrop, and Antisoil Bioagricultural Terrorism) and Their Potential Impact on Food Security. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 24:107– 129.  Gyles, C. (2010). Agroterrorism. The Canadian Veterinary Journal. La Revue Vétérinaire Canadienne, 51(4), 347-348. Monke, J. (2007). CRS Report for Congress order code RL3252, Agroterrorism: Threats and Preparedness.

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