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Homeland Security Measures for Agriculture

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During the current heightened state of alert in the United States, the agricultural community needs to take special precautions to protect the nation's food and water supply and to prevent the use of agricultural materials as terrorist weapons.

Here are links to EPA information and other Web sites that will help you comply with new requirements and alert you to precautions you can take to protect yourself and your community.

Related Topics
Emergency Planning and Response
Natural Events and Disasters

General Security and Bioterrorism Information

Information from EPA
EPA Office of Homeland Security (OHS) - Coordinates homeland security activities and policy development across all EPA program areas, while ensuring consistent direction and facilitating effective communication of homeland security efforts both within and outside the Agency.
Federal Food and Agriculture Decontamination and Disposal Roles and Responsibilities - Provides government agencies at all levels, industry, and others involved in protecting the nation's food and agriculture with information on the roles, responsibilities, and capabilities of federal agencies for addressing decontamination and disposal of animal, crop, and food commodities contaminated with chemical or biological agents.
EPA Counter-Terrorism Page - Many links to Web sites at EPA, other federal government agencies, and private sector organizations with information and advice on guarding against and responding to terrorist actions.
LEPCs and Deliberate Releases: Addressing Terrorist Activities in the Local Emergency Plan (PDF) (6 pp, 276K) - This fact sheet discusses how Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) can incorporate counter-terrorism issues when they review and update their local plans.
National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC) - Develops and delivers reliable, responsive expertise and products based on scientific research and evaluations of technology.

Information from other federal agencies Exit EPA
Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Homeland Security National Response Plan - Incorporates best practices and procedures from incident management disciplines and integrates them into a unified structure.
"Be Secure for America" Campaign  - A voluntary program to help fertilizer dealers be alert to suspicious purchases.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Counterterrorism Page - Information concerning countering bioterrorism.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Bioterrorism Information - Bioterrorism information including preparedness grants, the emergency preparedness and response branch, and bioterrorism research.
Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) - Agrosecurity - Information on why agriculture could be a target for an attack, protecting farms from an attack, and preparing for an agroterrorism attack.

Information from states Exit EPA
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Agroterrorism Resources
Iowa Department of Public Health - Information about Biological, Chemical, and Radiological Terrorism
Kansas Department of Health and the Environment - Bioterrorism Response, Preparedness, and FAQ Sheets
Kentucky Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Emergency Plan (Revised 2003) (PDF) (49 pp, 111K)
Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture - Bioterrorism Advisory for Farmers
Mississippi State Department of Health - Bioterrorism Information
New York State Department of Health - Bioterrorism Readiness
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Tips for Securing Your Farm
Rhode Island Department of Health - Bioterrorism Preparedness Program
Washington State Department of Health - Bioterrorism Information

Information from educational institutions Exit EPA
Kentucky Terrorism Response and Preparedness - Agroterrorism Awareness Programs and Certification

Information from other organizations Exit EPA
Agricultural Retailers Association: Security Vulnerability Assessment - A message to retailers about enhancing security.

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Animal/Livestock Security and Diseases

Information from EPA
Agriculture Information on Biosecurity - Information about biosecurity, disease transmittal affecting animals, which is a concern for farms and ranches.

Information from other federal agencies
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Conservation Practice Standards - Animal Mortality Facility (#316) (PDF) (5 pp, 86.1K) - Best management practices for an on-farm facility for the treatment or disposal of livestock and poultry carcasses.

Information from states Exit EPA
Hawaii Department of Agriculture - Livestock Disease Control
Maine Compost School
Maine Compost School - 2006 National Carcass Disposal Symposium Presentations
Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture - Biosecurity for Poultry Facilities

Information from educational institutions Exit EPA
Texas A&M University Carcass Disposal Research - Research projects on manure management and carcass disposal for several animal sectors.
Kansas State University - Carcass Disposal: A Comprehensive Review - Provides a comprehensive summary of the scientific, technical, and social aspects of various carcass disposal technologies.

Information from other organizations Exit EPA
National Biosecurity Resource Center for Animal Health Emergencies - A site that enables government, commodity groups, vets, and producers to meet the challenges of animal health emergencies.

Avian Flu

Information from EPA
Avian Flu - Information on preparedness planning to respond to an avian flu outbreak.
Antimicrobial Products to Disinfect Poultry and Other Facilities Against Avian (Bird) Flu - Provides information about disinfectants that are available to help prevent the spread of this disease in this country.
Label Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticides Used Against Avian Influenza A - Guidance for antimicrobial pesticides sold that are used to treat surfaces in agricultural, commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential settings against the avian influenza A virus.
Avian Flu Frequent Questions - Frequently asked questions on avian flu, disposal of carcasses, and avian flu disinfectants.
Disposal of Domestic Birds Infected by Avian Influenza -- An Overview of Considerations and Options (PDF) (30 pp, 459K) - Provides information to state and local decision makers addressing disposal problems associated with domesticated bird carcasses (and associated fecal material) infected by the avian influenza virus H5N1.

Information from other federal agencies Exit EPA
Pandemic Flu - One-stop access to U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information.

USDA Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) - Information to assist poultry producers and manage citizens' concerns about avian flu.

United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center and Avian Influenza - Avian Influenza news reports, sampling protocols, and additional links and resources on avian flu.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - General and Outbreak Information, Travel Advice and Professional Guidance

EDEN - Avian Influenza - Information on avian influenza, bird flu, and pandemic flu, avian influenza and the United States, advice to flock owners, and additional resources.

Information from states Exit EPA
Alaska - Avian/Pandemic Flu Preparedness Site
Arizona Department of Agriculture - Avian Influenza
Colorado State University - Information on Avian Influenza and Colorado Bird Health
Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife - About Avian Influenza
Delaware Health and Social Services - Avian Flu FAQs
Florida Division of Animal Industry Avian Influenza - Reporting Suspected Cases
Georgia Department of Agriculture, Animal Industry - Livestock / Poultry Field Forces
Georgia Department of Agriculture, Animal Industry - Animal Health
Illinois Department of Agriculture - Information on Avian Influenza
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks - Bird Flu
Maryland Department of Agriculture - Avian Influenza
Michigan Department of Agriculture - Emerging Disease Issues
Minnesota - Information about Avian Influenza
Missouri Department of Agriculture - Avian Influenza
Mississippi Board of Animal Health - Avian Influenza Information
New Jersey Department of Agriculture - Avian Influenza
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Facts About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
South Dakota State University - Avian Flu/Pandemic Flu
Texas Animal Health Commission - Avian Influenza
Utah Department of Health - Pandemic Flu Web site
Virginia Department of Agriculture - Animal Health and Welfare
Washington Department of Agriculture - Avian Influenza
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife - Fact Sheet, Avian Influenza

Information from universities Exit EPA
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology - Bird Flu

Information from orther organizations Exit EPA
World Health Organization (WHO) Avian Influenza - Information on the global response to human cases of H5N1 avian influenza and information on monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) - Mad Cow Disease

Information from federal agencies
FDA - Consumer Information, Recent Actions, Vaccines and Blood Safety
CDC - Background Information and Related Topics
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) - Recent Information

Information from federal agencies
CDC - Disease Information

Information from other organizations Exit EPA
Foot and Mouth Disease Information - Symptoms, Prevention and Food Safety

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Chemical Safety and Security

Information from EPA
Pesticide Security Guidance - Chemical safety alert about the physical security of pesticides and the equipment used in their application.
Chemical Accident Prevention: Site Security (PDF) (8 pp, 59.2K) - Chemical safety alert about preventing chemical accidents.

Information from other federal agencies Exit EPA
Department of Transportation (DOT) HazMat Safety Alert - A message urging the HazMat transportation community to increase safety measures.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): Safety and Security for Hazardous Materials - The mission of FMCSA is to improve truck and bus safety on our nation's highways. FMCSA's goal is to reduce the number of serious hazardous material transportation incidents 20 percent by 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2000.
EDEN - Anthrax - Resources for the general public, emergency managers and responders, and extension professionals.

Information from states Exit EPA
Nebraska Department of Agriculture - Information about Anthrax
New Jersey Department of Agriculture - Retailers, Farmers Urged to Tighten Security of Ag-Chems

Information from educational institutions Exit EPA
 Clemson University - Store Pesticides Safely (PDF) (4 pp, 171K)
Clemson University - Pesticide Storage
University of Nebraska Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEP)

Information from other organizations Exit EPA
Security Considerations for Agricultural Aircraft Operators - Recommendations from the National Agricultural Aviation Association.

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Food Security

Food Bioterrorism Regulation
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final regulation (Federal Register, December 9, 2004) that requires the establishment and maintenance of records by persons who manufacture, process, pack, transport, distribute, receive, hold, or import food in the U.S. Such records will allow for the identification of the immediate previous sources and immediate subsequent recipients of food. The final rule implements the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act), and is necessary to help address credible threats of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals.

Information from EPA
Food Security - Activities contributing to food security within the U.S. and throughout the world.

Information from other federal agencies
FDA Food Bioterrorism Regulation Fact Sheet

Information from other organizations Exit EPA
Agrichemical & Environmental News Special Edition on Agriculture and Food Terrorism - November 2001 edition that focuses on food and bioterrorism, livestock bioterrorism, a public health perspective on bioterrorism, pesticides as weapons, and the grounding of aerial applicators (crop dusters).

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Water Security

Information from EPA
Water Protection Task Force - Industry and government working cooperatively to improve drinking water and wastewater security.

Information from other federal agencies
USDA - Proposed Agricultural Water Security Program

Information from states Exit EPA
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services - Water System Security

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