Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
therapeutic products is to be developed for deployment within 24 hours of an attack.
A National Plant Disease Recovery System (NPDRS) is to develop disease and pest-
resistant varieties within one growing season of an attack in order to resume produc-
tion of certain crops. The Secretary of Agriculture is to make recommendations for
risk management tools to encourage self-protection for agriculture and food enter-
prises vulnerable to losses from terrorism.
HSPD-9 encourages USDA and HHS to promote higher education programs
that specifically address the protection of animal, plant, and public health. It sug-
gests capacity-building grants for universities, and internships, fellowships, and
postgraduate opportunities. HSPD-9 also formally incorporates USDA and agri-
culture into the ongoing DHS research program of university-based “centers of
excellence.”
As a presidential directive, HSPD-9 addresses the internal management of the
executive branch and does not create enforceable laws. Moreover, it is subject to
change without Congressional consent. Although Congress has oversight authority
of federal agencies and may ask questions about implementation of the directive, a
public law outlining an agroterrorism preparedness plan would establish the statu-
tory parameters for such a plan, and, as a practical matter, might result in enhanced
oversight by specifically identifying executive branch entities responsible for carry-
ing out particular components of such a plan.
In implementing HSPD-9, the USDA Homeland Security Staff and other agen-
cies are drawing upon HSPD-5 (regarding the national response plan) and HSPD-8
(regarding preparedness). Implementing many of the HSPD-9 directives depends
on the executive branch having sufficient appropriations for those activities.
Possible Pathogens in an Agroterrorist Attack
Of the hundreds of animal and plant pathogens and pests available to an agro-
terrorist, it is likely that less than two dozen represent significant economic threats.
Determinants of this level of threat are the agent's contagiousness and potential for
rapid spread, and its international status as a “reportable” pest or disease (i.e., sub-
ject to international quarantine) under rules of the World Organization for Animal
Health [also commonly known as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE)].
A widely accepted view among scientists is that livestock herds are much more
susceptible to agroterrorism than crop plants. Much of this has to do with the success
of efforts to systematically eliminate animals diseases from U.S. herds, which leaves
current herds either unvaccinated or relatively unmonitored for such diseases by farm-
ers and some local veterinarians. Once infected, livestock can often act as the vector
for continuing to transmit the disease, facilitating an outbreak's spread, especially
when live animals are transported. Certain animal diseases may be more attractive
to terrorists because they can be zoonotic, or transmissible to humans (source:
Small
