Agroterrorism: Preparing

for an Attack

Tanya B

enjamin,

MPH

StudentW

alden U

niversityPU

BH

6165-Instructor:

How

ard R

ubinSpring, 2011

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

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 Antisoil Bioagricultural 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.

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.

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.

The Food Process: Hoof to PlateFARMLIVESTOCKSALE BARNFEEDLOTSLAUGHTERHOUSEPROCESSING FACILITY WHOLESALERWAREHOUSERETAILFIGURE 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.

WHY THE U.S IS VULNERABLE FOR AN ATTACK

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

POSSIBLE ATTACK STRATEGIES

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/.

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.

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.

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.

PREVENTING AN ATTACK

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

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.

HANDLING AN ATTACK

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

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

Resources for Preparedness planning• http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodDefense/FoodDefens

ePrograms/ucm080836.htm• http://emergency.cdc.gov/cotper/cphp/fy04/rural.asp• http://www.usda.gov/homelandsecurity• http://homelandsecurity.gpworldwide.com/

exAgroTerr.aspx

ReferencesCupp, 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.