Farm and Home Biosecurity
Livestock/Row Crop Producer
Crop BioSecurity and BioTerrorism
Events surrounding September 11, 2001 have focused attention on security and
terrorism in all aspects of American life, but the agricultural community in the
U.S. and elsewhere has been concerned about security of our food supply for some
time. Over the past few years, the introduction of exotic pests into the U.S.
such as karnal bunt of wheat or the Russian grain aphid and the recent outbreak
of foot and mouth and mad cow diseases in Britain have all resulted in huge
economic losses to agriculture and resulted in increased concern about crop and
livestock biosecurity.
Events surrounding September 11 also alerted us to another aspect of
biosecurity and bioterrorism. During the investigation of these events, it was
discovered that at least one of the World Trade Center terrorists had
investigated the use of a “crop-dusting” plane for still unknown purposes.
However, many felt that he could have been interested in more than just crashing
a small plane into a building. Perhaps the intent was to use it to spray people,
crops or livestock with a biological or chemical agent smuggled into the U.S. or
even used one of our many restricted use pesticides in an illegal or dangerous
manner. Although this would have seemed far-fetched just a few years ago, the
sad circumstances of last fall illustrate that there are rogue groups around the
world bent on wanton destruction and terrorism in other countries, including our
own. Therefore, many persons feel that the time has come for at least a
heightened awareness of crop and livestock security.
The basic need for that security is the protection of a stable, safe and
inexpensive food supply. Our food supply in the U.S. consists of several
components including large scale commercial grain, oil and fiber crops;
commercial fruit, vegetable and nut p
In Arkansas, commercial grain, oil and fiber production are extremely
important in the eastern half of the state, the Arkansas River Valley and
Southwestern Arkansas. Large row-crop farms are generally family owned and
operated but may involve several family members with a limited hired labor
force. They are highly mechanized and capable of immense production in a very
short time. Because of needed efficiency, large-scale crop production is not
very diverse and requires very few farmers to accomplish. In other words, only a
few crops are grown on enormous acreage within a fairly small area and only a
few varieties are grown within each crop. And most of our population relies on
very few people to actually farm and produce the basis of the food supply.
This lack of diversity in crops and the reliance on such a small part of our
population as producers increases the risk of economic sabotage through the
purposeful introduction of exotic and destructive pests or by other means.
However, Arkansas row crop production is more diverse than most places, growing
rice, cotton, soybean, wheat, corn and grain sorghum on significant acreage. In
the Midwest, often only corn and soybean occupy large areas. So the
introduction, whether intentionally or by accident, of a new pest into our
country poses a more significant threat than it might in other places. For
example, a new disease or insect pest of rice could rapidly establish itself and
damage large areas of the crop in Eastern Arkansas because all 1.5 million acres
of rice in the state are near each other and our seed, production and grain
handling systems are intertwined. While no one believes such an introduction
would wipe out production, even a 10 or 20% loss in one year would have a
substantial impact on not only the Arkansas economy but on the United States,
since we grow more than 45% of the nation’s rice.
What are the threats to crop production? These include:
- Accidental introduction of new pests or diseases.
There are many examples of this threat. New pests and diseases are introduced
into the U.S. each year by people traveling to and from other countries or
through our crop importing system. APHIS, the Agricultural Plant Health
Inspection Service, is responsible for preventing these introductions or
containing them if accidentally introduced. A recent example of an introduction
was karnal bunt of wheat, a rather mild disease biologically, but because of
various quarantine laws in different countries - a very important economic and
political problem for wheat exports. Its introduction and discovery in Arizona
followed by discoveries in California, New Mexico and Texas, created and has
continued widespread economic problems among U.S. wheat producers and grain
buying companies.
- Willful introduction of new pests or diseases.
This threat is simply a purposeful application of the first. A malicious
introduction of a new pest or disease would entail both intent and specialized
knowledge. As far as we know, this has not occurred in crop production in the
U.S. but remains a possibility. Many countries, including ours, have conducted
research on the development of certain plant diseases as biological weapons for
the use of damaging another country’s crops. This is not as easy as it looks,
however, and over time the unreliability of plant pathogens to produce disease
led to an abandonment of this idea.
Both of these threats are monitored, not only by APHIS, but also by the
Extension Service in each state, and by agricultural field personnel and growers
themselves. How so? Anything new and different attacking a crop in the U.S. is
rapidly brought to the attention of County Extension Agents, Extension
Specialists and University Researchers. These professionals understand how to
put in motion a response and who to notify to quickly address such a
development.
- Accidental contamination of crops or food products with
chemical or biological agents.
- Willful contamination of crops or food products with chemical
or biological agents.
These threats have occurred on a limited basis in the U.S. and elsewhere but
constant monitoring by the food/feed industry and FDA and rapid response by law
enforcement and the medical profession has largely prevented widespread
problems.
- Accidental destruction of crops with chemical agents.
- Willful destruction of crops with chemical or biological
agents.
Accidental injury or even destruction of fields sometimes occurs when a
pesticide applicator sprays the wrong herbicide by mistake. Accidental pesticide
applications of this nature are quickly noted and Extension personnel can alert
the Arkansas State Plant Board if necessary.
The purposeful use of herbicides to destroy crops is unknown in the U.S. and
would certainly be recognized immediately.
So, what can farmers and others in commercial agriculture do with respect to
crop biosecurity?
Common sense things, mostly.
- Be more vigilant.
- Report unusual crop problems to the local County Agent.
- Buy only the amount of pesticides needed for the season and
avoid carryover.
- Keep pesticides locked up and control access to them.
- Keep a pesticide inventory.
- Don’t import problems by bringing in seed or plants from
other countries illegally. Go through proper channels to import crop products.
- Read and follow pesticide labels and make sure the applicator
does as well.
- Lock and control access to pesticide application equipment,
including airplanes.
A safe, stable and inexpensive food supply is the foundation of any
civilization. It makes sense to protect it from both accidental and willful
injury. An increased awareness of crop biosecurity could help in the short and
long term. Authors:Charles E. Wilson
Ples Spradley
Rick Cartwright
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