Return
to TFB Main Page
Return
to Current Edition
Texas
Agriculture Archive
April 4, 2003
Ag officials warn of
increased security threat
By Mike Barnett
Editor
In response to an increased threat level to national security due to the start of the war in Iraq, both state and national officials are increasing attempts to protect food and agriculture systems.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs has urged Texas producers and agribusinesses to maintain heightened awareness and vigilance of any unusual activity around their farms, ranches or businesses.
"With Operation Liberty Shield in place to increase security and readiness in the United States, Texas must be ready to do its part to make certain our industry and America's food supply are safe," Combs said. "Any assault on American agriculture would be a highly destructive force that could be used against our country."
Following the tragic Sept. 11 attacks in New York City, Combs formed the Texas Food Security Coalition, a 57-member coalition of agricultural and commodity groups whose purpose is to keep the industry informed of any potential problems or threats.
"While we have been vigilant in the past, now is the time for everyone in agriculture to be even more so," Combs wrote in a letter to the coalition. "Producers and businesses along the border especially need to be on the watch for any unusual activity."
Meanwhile the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is urging producers to be on the watch for foreign animal disease.
"We encourage each of you, whether you are involved in disease diagnosis, animal movement, or livestock production and marketing, to be particularly aware of any indication that could signal the occurrence of a highly contagious disease or any other unusual or unexplained adverse animal health event," a TAHC advisory said. "Potential hoaxes should be treated as suspect incursions of a disease until proven otherwise."
Specifically, TAHC urged producers to be alert for:
• Sudden, unexplained death loss in a herd or flock.
• Severe illness affecting a high percentage of animals.
• Blistering around an animal's mouth, nose, teats or hooves.
• Unusual ticks or maggots.
• Staggering, falling or central nervous system disorders.
Meanwhile, USDA is taking a number of steps to increase security, including: placing USDA law enforcement officers and agents on alert status; activating Incident Response Teams, which are deployed to emergency sites, to standby status; preparing to execute Continuity of Operations Plans so critical USDA functions to protect food and agriculture systems continue in an emergency situation; and increasing perimeter security at all USDA facilities.
Security Checklist
• Review internal security, safety procedures and provide training to employees.
• Report to local authorities all suspicious activities, vehicles and persons.
• Report to local authorities all threats against personnel and facilities.
• Report to local authorities all thefts, inventory shortages or missing products that could pose a public health risk.
• Report to local authorities all burglaries, sabotage to facilities or equipment, and all vandalism or activities that may pose a safety or security risk.
• Report any missing blank documentation or identification cards such as shipping forms.
• Report any unusual occurrence of animal diseases to local veterinarian or the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242.
