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butterbean · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 2271

8/25/06
Experts warn of agro-terror
Federal efforts criticized as subcommittee meets in Athens

ATHENS — The nation's farms and food supply are highly vulnerable to terrorism and the Department of Homeland Security isn't prepared to deal with the "catastrophic" consequences of an agro-terror attack, Georgia agricultural experts warned a U.S. House subcommittee Thursday.

"Compared to bio-terror, agro-terror is appallingly easy," said Corrie Brown, professor at the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine, invoking the specter of terrorists introducing foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, swine flu of some other animal-borne disease that could disrupt the U.S. economy — and threaten human health as well.

Brown noted that 11 of the past 12 disease outbreaks of "global concern" in recent years have been zoonoses, diseases of animals that can be transmitted to humans.

"These dangerous pathogens can be obtained from infected animals in many parts of the world," she told the committee.

"Our agricultural system is so vast and so integrated, if something gets in, it's going to be all over and the terrorists know this."

Brown, along with Georgia security and agricultural experts, said despite claims by Homeland Security officials that agro-terror is a "top priority," the department has no strategy for preventing or containing such an outbreak — and has provided little money to address the threat.

"The Department of Homeland Security is in the driver's seat, but they just don't have a lot of depth in agriculture," Brown said.

The sharp criticism of federal efforts got a friendly reception from the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on the Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, which met in Athens to address "agro-terrorism's perfect storm" — the introduction of so-called zoonotic diseases, like avian influenza.

Bidding for defense facility

Georgia is one of 11 states in the running for the Department of Homeland Security's proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, which would address such threats.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/stories/0825meshagterror.html