Agricultural Biological Weapons Threat to the United States

Agricultural Biological Weapons Threat to the United States PDF Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Armed Services. Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 68

Get Book

Book Description

Agricultural Biological Weapons Threat to the United States

Agricultural Biological Weapons Threat to the United States PDF Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Armed Services. Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 68

Get Book

Book Description


Agricultural Bioterrorism

Agricultural Bioterrorism PDF Author: Henry S. Parker
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agriculture
Languages : en
Pages : 120

Get Book

Book Description


Hitting America's Soft Underbelly

Hitting America's Soft Underbelly PDF Author: Peter Chalk
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 0833035940
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 67

Get Book

Book Description
Over the past decade, the United States has endeavored to increase its ability to detect, prevent, and respond to terrorist threats and incidents. The agriculture sector and the food industry in general, however, have received comparatively little attention with respect to protection against terrorist incidents. This study aims to expand the current debate on domestic homeland security by assessing the vulnerabilities of the agricultural sector and the food chain to a deliberate act of biological terrorism and exploring the likely outcomes of a successful attack.

The Biological Threat Reduction Program of the Department of Defense

The Biological Threat Reduction Program of the Department of Defense PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309179513
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 120

Get Book

Book Description
This Congressionally-mandated report identifies areas for further cooperation with Russia and other states of the former Soviet Union under the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program of the Department of Defense in the specific area of prevention of proliferation of biological weapons. The report reviews relevant U.S. government programs, and particularly the CTR program, and identifies approaches for overcoming obstacles to cooperation and for increasing the long-term impact of the program. It recommends strong support for continuation of the CTR program.

Countering Agricultural Bioterrorism

Countering Agricultural Bioterrorism PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 9780309085458
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 196

Get Book

Book Description
Public confidence in the security of the US food and fiber system has been sustained by the quality, variety, abundance, and affordability of agricultural products in the United States. Although the system in place to defend against unintentional threats to agriculture has weaknesses and needs, the demonstrated ability of the system to resolve, accommodate, or manage critical food safety problems, temporary shortages of some commodities, plant and animal infestations and diseases, and natural disasters indicates that, in general, such confidence has been warranted. However, over the last several years, there has been recognition of the possibility and consequences of intentional threats directed at US agriculture. Such attacks could come from foreign or domestic terrorists and use biological, chemical, or radiological agents. They could be directed at the pre harvest (live plant and live animal) or post harvest (processing and distribution) stages of food and fiber production. Countering Agricultural Bioterrorism asseses the vulnerability of US agriculture to intentional threats and provides recommendations needed to strengthen and adapt the US system for defense against biological threats to agriculture.

Agricultural Bioterrorism

Agricultural Bioterrorism PDF Author: Henry S. Parker
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781410216854
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 120

Get Book

Book Description
The astonishing specter of September 11, 2001, jarred America and, indeed, all free nations, into accepting the previously unthinkable- the world's only remaining superpower is vulnerable to catastrophic attack and asymmetric warfare, even within its own borders. In a few short hours Americans came to realize that, for a fanatical, resourceful, and patient enemy, there are neither ethical bounds nor societal mores to delineate the nature of the target, the weapon of choice, or the scale of the violence. To put it another way, for these enemies there are no rules of engagement and there is no honor. Since September 11, our national sense of vulnerability has steadily risen. We have been in a near-constant state of high alert because of credible threats to our Nation's nuclear installations, power plants, transportation nodes, and other critical national infrastructures. We know that at least nine countries support offensive terrorism programs, and that Al Qaeda -Osama bin Laden's international terrorist organization- has been committed to developing and deploying weapons of mass destruction against U.S. targets. And the possibility that the recent anthrax attacks were perpetrated by a domestic terrorist with access to a Federal Government, academic, or private laboratory that possessed anthrax for legitimate scientific reasons has brought fear to the doorsteps of virtually every home, business, and public institution in the country. We are now also facing up to a less publicized, but potentially devastating threat-terrorism directed against the Nation's food and agricultural infrastructure. As this paper elucidates, American farms, food, and agriculture systems are exceedingly vulnerable to deliberate disruption by hostile interests intent on undermining confidence in food supplies or wreaking havoc on the agricultural sector of the American economy, which accounts for one-sixth of our gross domestic product. Because of its breadth, diversity, and unparalleled success, U.S. agriculture is an inviting target for terrorists. Not only are food supplies vital for feeding our own population and others around the world, and important for the Nation's economic health, but American agriculture is a vivid example of the capabilities of modern scientific farming. Intelligence reports indicate that a number of countries have active research programs that could produce biological agents to threaten crops and livestock. Naturally occurring outbreaks of diseases signal the devastation that could result from a carefully choreographed intentional release. Thus the recent Foot and mouth disease epidemics in Taiwan and Great Britain, or hog cholera in the Netherlands, or the infection of Florida citrus trees with citrus canker, aptly demonstrate the vulnerability of living targets to biological pathogens and the economic chaos that can result from an outbreak-intentional or otherwise. Floyd P. Horn Director for Food, Agriculture, and Water Security Office of Homeland Security Executive Office of the President

Agricultural Bioterrorism

Agricultural Bioterrorism PDF Author: Steven A. Wieneke
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agriculture
Languages : en
Pages : 32

Get Book

Book Description
The threat of agricultural terrorism in the United States has awakened the nation to the stark reality that its agricultural industry may be in jeopardy. Intentional attacks delivered by land air and sea are capable of devastating this nation's agricultural infrastructure its economy and ultimately threaten the survival of the citizens and the quality of life we have taken for granted. Preparations taken to identify vulnerabilities implementation of prevention measures and actions taken in response to an attack will determine the magnitude of the impact of an agricultural incident. This paper will present the bioterrorism threat the United States agricultural infrastructure faces. It will review the nature and threat of agricultural terrorism against livestock and croplands and demonstrate the degree of vulnerability the United States agricultural industry has against a bioterrorism attack. This paper will identify current plans policies initiatives and capabilities available at the local state and federal levels. It will review actions that should be implemented in order to strengthen this nation's ability to prevent prepare for respond to and mitigate long-term consequences that could devastate the nation's economy.

Biological Weapons, the Threat Posed by Terrorists

Biological Weapons, the Threat Posed by Terrorists PDF Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary. Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism, and Government Information
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 206

Get Book

Book Description


Agricultural Bioterrorism

Agricultural Bioterrorism PDF Author: U. S. Military
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781549612626
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 117

Get Book

Book Description
The United States ignores the potential for agricultural bioterrorism at its peril. The relative ease of a catastrophic bio-weapons attack against the American food and agriculture infrastructure, and the devastating economic and social consequences of such an act, demand that the Nation pursue an aggressive, focused, coordinated, and stand-alone national strategy to combat agricultural bioterrorism. The strategy should build on counterterrorism initiatives already underway; leverage existing Federal, state, and local programs and capabilities; and involve key customers, stakeholders, and partners. The U.S. Department of Agriculture should lead the development of this strategy. We know that at least nine countries support offensive terrorism programs, and that Al Qaeda-Osama bin Laden's international terrorist organization-has been committed to developing and deploying weapons of mass destruction against U.S. targets. And the possibility that the recent anthrax attacks were perpetrated by a domestic terrorist with access to a Federal Government, academic, or private laboratory that possessed anthrax for legitimate scientific reasons has brought fear to the doorsteps of virtually every home, business, and public institution in the country. We are now also facing up to a less publicized, but potentially devastating threat-terrorism directed against the Nation's food and agricultural infrastructure. As this paper elucidates, American farms, food, and agriculture systems are exceedingly vulnerable to deliberate disruption by hostile interests intent on undermining confidence in food supplies or wreaking havoc on the agricultural sector of the American economy, which accounts for one-sixth of our gross domestic product. Because of its breadth, diversity, and unparalleled success, U.S. agriculture is an inviting target for terrorists. Not only are food supplies vital for feeding our own population and others around the world, and important for the Nation's economic health, but American agriculture is a vivid example of the capabilities of modern scientific farming. Intelligence reports indicate that a number of countries have active research programs that could produce biological agents to threaten crops and livestock. Naturally occurring outbreaks of diseases signal the devastation that could result from a carefully choreographed intentional release. Thus the recent Foot and mouth disease epidemics in Taiwan and Great Britain, or hog cholera in the Netherlands, or the infection of Florida citrus trees with citrus canker, aptly demonstrate the vulnerability of living targets to biological pathogens and the economic chaos that can result from an outbreak-intentional or otherwise. Chapter One * Bioterrorism, Biowarfare, and National Security * Chapter Two * An Emerging Threat to Food Security * Chapter Three * Countering the Threat * Chapter Four * Recommendations and Conclusion * Appendix A * Framework for National Coordination for Security, Critical Infrastructure, and Counterterrorism * Appendix B * High-Priority Research Needs * Appendix C * Federal Agencies with Counterterrorism Responsibilities * Appendix D * Key Federal Programs and Capabilities to Combat Bioterrorism * Appendix E * Selected Agricultural and Environmental Organizations * Appendix F * Acronyms * Endnotes * References

Countering Biological Threats

Countering Biological Threats PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309131766
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 196

Get Book

Book Description
In response to a request from the U.S. Congress, this book examines how the unique experience and extensive capabilities of the Department of Defense (DOD) can be extended to reduce the threat of bioterrorism within developing countries outside the former Soviet Union (FSU). During the past 12 years, DOD has invested $800 million in reducing the risk from bioterrorism with roots in the states of the FSU. The program's accomplishments are many fold. The risk of bioterrorism in other countries is too great for DOD not to be among the leaders in addressing threats beyond the FSU. Taking into account possible sensitivities about a U.S. military presence, DOD should engage interested governments in about ten developing countries outside the FSU in biological threat reduction programs during the next five years. Whenever possible, DOD should partner with other organizations that have well established humanitarian reputations in the countries of interest. For example, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization should be considered as potential partners.