Plans for protection against agricultural terrorism.

Through its Science and Technology Division, the Department of Homeland Security is harnessing the nation's scientific knowledge to protect against agricultural terrorism in the following ways:

* On June 1, 2003, the Science and Technology Division assumed responsibility for the operation of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) in New York. PIADC, which was previously a part of USDA, conducts research to protect livestock across America from high-consequence foreign-animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease.

* The National Biodefense Analysis Countermeasures Center was established with an interim capability at Ft. Detrick Army base near Washington, D.C. Additional operations are taking place at the Department of Energy National Laboratories and other government laboratories. The center serves three main functions: 1) it provides scientific assessment of emerging biological threats both to people and to agriculture; 2) in partnership with the FBI, it establishes a new national capability for performing forensic analyses on bioterror events; and 3) it works with PIADC on research to help defend against agroterrorism.

* To facilitate involvement of the academic community, the Department of Homeland Security has established universitybased Homeland Security Centers of Excellence (HS-Centers) to attract and retain the nation's best and brightest academic scholars.

* The Science and Technology Division is currently conducting systems studies and activities to fully examine the issue of agroterrorism. This research includes models, simulations, and tabletop exercises designed to

-- explore the epidemiological and economic consequences of an agroterrorism event,

-- analyze the research and development requirements for foreign-animal-disease and food security scenarios, and

-- develop key enabling technologies and tools to prevent, detect, respond, and recover from the intentional or unintentional introduction of biological agents into the national agricultural and food systems.

Advanced detection surveillance systems, such as BioWatch, were developed initially for pathogens of concern for human public health. The Science and Technology Division is exploring the potential utility of such technology in agricultural scenarios.

The Science and Technology Division is collaborating on agroterrorism issues with other organizations in the Department of Homeland Security, such as Customs and Border Patrol. In addition, the division is working with USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and FDA, to further develop national plans for mitigation of and response to high-consequence threats.