Terrorists targeting agriculture? It sounds almost too ridiculous to even consider, yet U.S. regulators are taking every precaution they can to ensure America’s food remains safe to eat. You may have seen a recent NPR article on the subject, linked below, or heard that the FDA has proposed new rules to require both domestic and foreign food processors and manufacturers to implement measures to protect against potential terrorist attacks. For our friends involved in fresh produce, there’s very little to worry about, but it’s important to take note how certain vulnerabilities may affect other parts of the agricultural industry.
NPR - "Could Our Food Supply Be A Target For Terrorists?"
The FDA’s evaluation found that “activities that are typically performed on produce farms are at relatively low risk for intentional adulteration of food from acts of terrorism” since there are relatively few vulnerabilities when compared to other agricultural sectors. Consequently, it has tentatively concluded that there was no reason to propose requirements for produce farms to address terrorism-related concerns.
Nevertheless, what about other parts of the agricultural industry, like ranches in the Great Plains? One risk assessment from the Department of Homeland Security found that if a pathogen like foot-and-mouth disease were to find its way into those ranches, total damages could exceed $50 billion, and exports and trade could be cut off, significantly impacting consumer demand, according to NPR.
NPR also reports that Keith Roehr, Colorado’s state veterinarian, says that few livestock owners consider their operations targets of terrorism, which may leave them vulnerable to a possible threat. Others, like Peter Chalk, a terrorism analyst with the RAND Corporation, think that a large-scale attack on food and farms doesn’t carry as much weight as a more violent event. This may explain why the U.S. has mostly avoided such a considerable attack, even though al-Qaida has reportedly detailed ways to attack American agriculture in documents found in 2002, according to NPR.
As these new rules kick into gear, the FDA is strongly encouraging those involved in the food industry to consider any potential risks.
Still, it’s good to know the produce industry will remain relatively safe.
