Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
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Stop imports of animals and animal products into the United States from
suspected countries (7 U.S.C. 8303).
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Stop animal exports (7 U.S.C. 8304) and interstate transport of diseased or
suspected animals (7 U.S.C. 8305).
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Seize, quarantine, and dispose of infected livestock to prevent dissemination
of the disease (7 U.S.C. 8306).
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Compensate owners for the fair market value of animals destroyed by the
Secretary's orders (7 U.S.C. 8306(d)).
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Transfer the necessary funding from USDA's Commodity Credit Corpo-
ration to cover costs of eradication, quarantine, and compensation programs
(7 U.S.C. 8316).
Similar authorities cover plant pests and diseases (7 U.S.C. 7701-7772).
Recovery Management
Several activities such as confinement and eradication start in the response phase
but continue throughout the management and recovery phase. Long-term eco-
nomic recovery includes resuming the husbandry of animals and plants in the
affected areas, introducing new genetic traits that may be necessary in response
to the pest or disease, rebuilding confidence in domestic markets, and regaining
international market share.
Confidence in food markets, by both domestic and international customers,
depends on continuing surveillance after the threat is controlled or eradicated.
Communication and education programs would need to inform growers directly
affected by the outbreak, and inform consumers about the source and safety of their
food. The social sciences and public health institutions play a complementary role
to the agricultural sciences in responding to and recovering from agroterrorism.
If eradication of the pest or disease is not possible, an endemic infestation
would result in a lower equilibrium level of production or quality. Resources would
be devoted to acquiring plant varieties with resistance characteristics and breeds
of animals more suitable to the new environment. This is the goal of the NPDRS
mentioned in HSPD-9 and being initiated by APHIS.
Summary
In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, it must be understood that the
terrorist threat exists in the nation at all times, and it is certainly possible that some
form of agroterrorism, perhaps in conjunction with biological or chemical threats,
could happen and therefore, preparation is necessary. This is especially true in the
realm of agroterrorism, where such an incident, even one that is in reality relatively
