Agroterrorism: Minimizing the Consequences of Intentionally Introduced Foreign Animal Disease
Abstract
The United States agricultural industry generates more than $1 trillion in annual economic activity and provides an abundant food supply for the United States and other countries. Since the 9/11 attacks, the United States government has recognized the vulnerability of the agriculture industry and the potential for the deliberate introduction of animal and plant diseases or agroterrorism. An agroterrorist attack could have enormous economic consequences, disrupt the entire system of critical infrastructure and affect all Americans. The federal and state governments must establish a comprehensive foreign animal disease strategy that is equal to the risk posed by agroterrorism and/or natural outbreaks. Critical elements of this strategy must reconcile conflicting worldviews and existing tensions between the federal and state government to synchronize all remediation efforts while increasing the nation's preparedness. Finally, the national strategy must address the population of first responders by recognizing the unique authorities, restrictions, and capabilities they possess. The Department of Defense (DoD) has the opportunity to mitigate the risk of agroterrorism to the nation because it possesses the inherent dimension, organization and equipment to rapidly deploy, and conduct operations in austere and geographically distributed areas of operation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA522943
Entities
People
- James P. Dykes
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College