About BEP

The Biosecurity Engagement Program is operated by the US Department of State under the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN-CTR).  The Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP) is committed to developing cooperative international programs that promote the safe, secure and responsible use of biological materials that are at risk of accidental release or intentional misuse.  BEP works with partners including agencies in the US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Health and Human Services, US Agency for International Development, Naval Medical Research Centers, Sandia National Laboratories and the US Civilian Research and Development Foundation to conduct trainings in biosafety and pathogen security, infectious disease surveillance and molecular diagnostics; engage bioscience laboratories in collaborative pathogen security and biosafety projects and build laboratory capacity.

ARS cooperation in the BEP

Through scientific cooperation in agricultural research, the ARS program will support the BEP mission to:

·       Reduce the potential for dual-use application of biological sciences and technologies, particularly by terrorists and proliferant states;

·       Support U.S. efforts to counter biological terrorism;

·       Improve international bioscience laboratory capacity to conduct infectious disease surveillance, diagnostics and control;

·       Build science, technology and research sustainability; and

·       Support long-term proliferation threat reduction.

In addition, the program advances agricultural science by establishing new expertise in BEP countries in Asia and the Middle East, enhances the effectiveness and productivity of ARS research programs, and helps to improve the economy of BEP countries through advances in agricultural science and technology.

Approach:

1. OIRP will establish collaborative research projects on priority agricultural problems with international science and technology institutions recognized by the US Department of State.
2. ARS and BEP will facilitate exchange visits by senior scientists from the priority countries/regions to work in host ARS laboratories on targeted research projects for 6 months to 2 years.
3. OIRP will coordinate scientific capacity exploratory workshops in priority countries/regions identified by the Department of State.

ARS has ongoing projects in the Philippines, Thailand, and Pakistan.  In 2009, ARS is planning to develop new projects on animal health in Pakistan, Indonesia, India, Kenya, and with research partners in the Middle East.  In addition to individual research projects, BEP also supports training on Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease diagnostics, with participants from Egypt, Southeast Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Morocco, Russia, and Azerbaijan.