Agricultural Bioterrorism (Agricultural Biosecurity, Agroterrorism)

Abstract

AbstractAgricultural bioterrorism is defined as the intentional spread of pathogens of livestock or crops in order to cause economic harm. This definition is used here to distinguish agricultural bioterrorism from bioterrorist attacks on the food supply. In practice, the distinction can be fuzzy. The distinction, however artificial, is valuable because biological attacks on agriculture differ markedly from attacks on the food supply or direct biological attacks on civilians. Agricultural bioterrorism has received relatively little attention until recently. Agriculture is a vital sector in the U.S. The United States Department of Agriculture has always been concerned with outbreaks of disease among livestock and plant disease. However, it current resources are strained by naturally occurring outbreaks and appear to be insufficient to respond to pathogens purposely introduced. The article gives information on why U.S. agriculture is vulnerable, qualities of agricultural pathogens that enhance its capacity as weapons, and the consequences of an agricultural attack. Technical barriers to prevent such attacks are minimal and terrorists can be considered motivated to carry out such attacks. No successful large‐scale attacks have been reported to‐date. The article ends with a discussion of what the United States efforts are to prevent such attacks.