Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Within the USDA, several agencies have upgraded their facilities to respond
better to the threat of agroterrorism by expanding laboratory capacity and adding
physical security. These programs include the ARS research on foreign animal dis-
eases at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York (the physical facility
is now managed and operated by DHS) and the ARS Southeast Poultry Research
Laboratory in Athens, Georgia.
Also at USDA, three major laboratories are consolidating operations in a new
BSL-3 facility in Ames, Iowa. These include the ARS National Animal Disease
Center, the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), and the
APHIS Center for Veterinary Biologics. The complex will be USDA's largest animal
health center for research, diagnosis, and product evaluation. The NVSL is espe-
cially visible because it makes the final determination of most animal diseases when
samples are submitted for testing.
USDA also cooperates with other federal agencies on counterterrorism research
and preparedness, including the ARS and APHIS partnership with the U.S. Army
Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases at Fort Dietrick, Maryland. The
Fort Dietrick site offers USDA access to additional high-level biosecurity laborato-
ries. In recent years, USDA has conducted research on soybean rust at Fort Dietrick.
In April 2004, the DHS Science and Technology Directorate announced the
department's first university research grants for agriculture as part of its “cen-
ters for excellence” program. The University of Minnesota and Texas A&M will
share $33 million over three years. Texas A&M's new Center for Foreign Animal
and Zoonotic Disease Research will study high consequence animal diseases.
The University of Minnesota's new Center for Post-Harvest Food Protection and
Defense will establish best practices for the management of and response to food
contamination events. Texas A&M is partnering with four universities and will
receive $18 million; Minnesota is partnering with 10 universities and will receive
$15 million.
Federal Authorities
When a foreign animal disease is discovered, whether accidentally or intention-
ally introduced, the Secretary of Agriculture has broad authority to eradicate it or
prevent it from entering the country. The use of these authorities is fairly common,
as shown recently by the import restrictions imposed during the 2004 outbreak of
avian influenza in Asia. Federal quarantines and restrictions on interstate move-
ment within the United States are also common for certain pest and disease out-
breaks, such as for sudden oak death in California and citrus canker in Florida.
In addition to federal authorities, most states have similar authorities, at least for
quarantine and import restrictions.
For example, if an animal disease outbreak is found in the United States, the
Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, among other things, to
