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AmericasFoodSupplyandNationalSecurityAreatRisktoBioterrorism.pdf

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THE REPORT: OPINION

A Threat to theA Threat to the

Food SystemFood System

We need to do a better job of protecting U.S.We need to do a better job of protecting U.S. agriculture against bioterrorism.agriculture against bioterrorism.

By By Tom DaschleTom Daschle and and Richard B. MyersRichard B. Myers Oct. 17, 2016, at 6:00 a.m.Oct. 17, 2016, at 6:00 a.m.

Robert Owono [email protected]

Cerveau Petit [email protected]

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The 15th anniversary of September 11 honored the far-too-many who lost their lives that horri�c day. Almost unnoticed was the 15th anniversary of the U.S. anthrax attacks that occurred soon thereafter and left 5 dead, 17 infected and more than 10,000 at risk of exposure. The magnitude of those attacks clari�ed the need to address bioterrorism more comprehensively in the United States.

OPINION: The Ethanol Mandate Is Destroying America's Great Plains

Americans rarely consider the potential for our enemies to attack our nation's agricultural infrastructure and food supply with biological weapons. They should. Agriculture security is national security.

Fourteen years ago, U.S. Navy SEALs found a list of pathogens and a schematic in an Afghanistan cave that al-Qaida planned to use to produce bioweapons. In addition to six human pathogens, ten pathogens targeted food, six targeted livestock and poultry, and four targeted crops. Clearly, al-Qaida was considering agroterrorism.

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A series of reports by the bipartisan Commission on the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism from 2008 to 2010 stated that a biological attack in the United States was much more likely than a nuclear attack. With their report card, they delivered a failing grade to the nation – an "F" for bioterrorism readiness.

In October 2015, the bipartisan Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense published "A National Blueprint for Biodefense: Leadership and Major Reform Needed to Optimize Efforts" that documented the ongoing vulnerability of the United States to biological agents, whether naturally, accidentally or deliberately introduced. Among others, the panel discussed biological threats to agriculture in their report, emphasizing a One Health approach to addressing animal, environmental and human health simultaneously. The panel also recommended that the House and Senate agriculture committees increase their oversight regarding efforts to counter agroterrorism.

So, how might a naturally occurring event or intentional attack on the crops, animals and systems that comprise our food supply impact American's overall health and economy?

http://www.biodefensestudy.org/

Any threat to our country's food production and security would have devastating economic, social and political impacts. The agriculture sector in the U.S. is a $1 trillion business and employs approximately 9.2 percent of American workers. In 2012, domestic animal agriculture – livestock and poultry production – generated approximately 1.8 million jobs, $346 billion in total economic output and $60 billion in household income.

More than two-thirds of existing, emerging and reemerging animal pathogens can be transmitted to people and as such, present signi�cant threats to human health. Avian in�uenza, Ebola and Rift Valley fever are just three examples. While individual animal pathogens cannot cause major food shortages alone, combinations of livestock disease agents could.

PHOTOS: The Big Picture – September 2016

In addition, some crop diseases could be catastrophic themselves. Wheat and rice account for an estimated 39 percent of the world's total calorie consumption and pose worrisome terrorist targets.

Food insecurity has also contributed to major instability in the Middle East since the 1990s, and no country is immune. The minimalistic approach to bio/agrodefense in the United States must end.

The bipartisan Blue Ribbon Study Panel for Biodefense made 33 recommendations and identi�ed more than 80 public policy actions the Nation needs to execute in the near-, medium- and long-term. Notably, the panel recommended that the vice president of the United States assume responsibility for biodefense to coordinate efforts in accordance with a uni�ed strategy – a strategy we have yet to develop and implement. We add that the government has arti�cially separated human and agricultural defense policy. Biodefense must include agrodefense to ensure America is prepared to respond to and recover from agricultural attacks.

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Bio/agrodefense threats to the United States are real. The next administration must take the opportunity – and ful�ll its responsibility – to address these threats to the nation from day one.

Tags: farming, biotechnology, terrorism, national security terrorism and the military, anthrax, 9/11, food safety, food and drink

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