U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) has introduced legislation to address the threat of bioterrorist attacks on American agriculture. The two bills, the Agricultural Security Preparedness Act (S. 430) and the Agricultural Security Assistance Act (S. 427), would facilitate and improve coordination between the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other federal agencies that play a role in responding to an agricultural disease emergency, including the new Department of Homeland Security. The bills aim to build upon the progress made by USDA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in preparing for intentional or naturally occurring agricultural disease emergencies.

"Quite simply, a threat to agriculture is a threat to the nation," Akaka said. "Agroterrorism can impact the safety of our food supply and public health. A large scale agricultural disaster, much like risks to our information and communication systems, also would undermine American economic security. Based on the economic damage caused by the 2001 foot and mouth disease (FMD) epidemic in Great Britain, a single outbreak of FMD could cost the U.S. economy over $10 billion. When the additional losses in tourism and travel are considered, we can see the economic impact on Hawaii or any state from an agricultural disease emergency would be devastating.

"The Agriculture Security Preparedness Act and the Agriculture Security Assistance Act give federal and state partners responsible for responding to threats against our agriculture the tools they need to operate efficiently and effectively. Moreover, my legislation amends the Homeland Security Act to give agriculture security the attention it deserves as a component of our critical infrastructure."

The Agriculture Security Assistance Act will assist states and communities preparing for and responding to threats to the nation's agriculture. The bill directs USDA to work with each state to develop and implement response plans and establishes grant programs for communities and states to incorporate modeling and geographic information systems into planning and response activities totaling over $15 million. This funding also will help animal health professionals participate in community emergency planning activities and assist farmers and ranchers strengthen biosecurity measures on their own property.

The Agriculture Security Preparedness Act calls for increased coordination of USDA emergency response efforts with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Environmental Protection Agency, and addresses several issues that were not included in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act or in the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act. These include: a feasibility study for a National Plant Disease Laboratory to coordinate efforts to identify and combat diseases that attack crops; development and implementation of an information sharing procedures with federal, regional, state, and local officials regarding agricultural threats; a task force to determine and disseminate biosecurity best practices; enhanced international surveillance of agricultural disease outbreaks and suspicious activity; bilateral mutual assistance agreements with foreign governments to provide training for American veterinarians and help for partners during outbreaks; and a review of state and local laws relating to agroterrorism and biosecurity to identify potential impediments or delays to implementing a response plan.

"The Agriculture Security Preparedness Act will enhance agricultural biosecurity through strengthened interagency and international coordination," Akaka said. "Rapid detection and swift response is imperative to contain the spread of any disease, and my bill will help remove delays and impediments for local and state officials responding to outbreaks.

"In most cases of a suspected or actual agricultural disease outbreak, initial response will come from the impacted community and state. Federal resources, coordinated by USDA, will augment state capabilities. Federal assistance and guidance also is needed long before an outbreak occurs. My legislation will increase federal, state, and local abilities to develop resources and response mechanisms to contain and eradicate agricultural diseases when they are discovered on U.S. soil."