While there has not been an act of international terrorism on U.S. soil since 9/11, that doesn’t mean U.S. citizens—including farmers—should assume it cannot happen again.
“And we have to realize that agriculture is a target,” says Stephen Goldsmith, a veterinarian with the FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate-Biological Countermeasures Unit.
“Three strands of barbed wire will not protect cattle from Al Qaeda,” he says. Goldsmith spoke Friday at one of World Dairy Expo’s Education Seminars.
In fact, threats from radicalized animal rights and environmental groups might be of greater concern. “The domestic threat in some ways is more critical than international,” he says. “Animal rights and environmental groups have committed more acts of terrorism than Al Qaeda,” says Goldsmith. And it is relatively easy to do.
Just one case of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) would shut down all animal exports of cattle, sheep, goats, swine and other susceptible species. And it could take months, perhaps years, to contain the disease and restore confidence in the safety of U.S. food exports.
Farmers have to be the first line of defense in protecting their farms and livestock. So farmers need to be aware of potential threats, know the symptoms of foreign animal diseases, and recognize signs of intentional disruptions to their operations. They then need to immediately report any unusual disease triggers to their veterinarian and local authorities.
Any unusual activity should be reported. “These dots of information have to be reported and entered into the security system for threats to be recognized,” Goldsmith says.
There are seven key signs to watch for:
- Surveillance of your operation. If you see unfamiliar vehicles or people repeatedly driving by your facility or at odd times of the day, they should be reported to officials.
- Employees who are being elicited for help to gain access to your facilities, or to bring substances on to the premise.
- Tests of security of the facility.
- Acquiring unusual supplies or capabilities.
- Suspicious persons out of place.
- Dry runs to gain access.
- Destruction of assets.
Surveillance and awareness of your surroundings is critical. “We have to realize there are people out there who are not our friends,” says Goldsmith.
