Agrosecurity involves the issues that the agricultural industry, communities and the government need to address to protect our food system. These issues are related to animal and plant diseases, pests and invasive species that could affect the health and economic well-being of the agricultural community and the public.
Agroterrorism is the deliberate use of biological, chemical or radiological agents as weapons against the agricultural industry and food supply. Any such attack on the food and fiber system in the United States will have economic, health, and social consequences.
Agrosecurity Threat Resources
- Pre-Harvest Security Guidelines and Checklist 2006 – USDA
- Overview of agricultural biosecurity issues – Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRP)
- National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN)
- Agriculture and Natural Events and Disasters – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- National Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center (AG Center)
- USDA-APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- Firewood Alert: Don’t Move Firewood You could be killing our trees by spreading invasive insects and disease to other parts of the state.
- Farm Service Agency (FSA) Provides assistance to farmers in recovering from disasters.
- ReadyAG Disaster and defense preparedness tools for production agriculture.
- Cornell Plant Diagnostic Clinic Plant disease diagnostic services for professionals, growers, gardeners.
Agroterrorism Resources
- The NYS Office of Homeland Security (OHS) provides information on recognizing and reporting suspected agroterrorism events.
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING 1-866-SAFE-NYS (1-866-723-3697) - Strategic Partnership Program Agroterrorism (SPPA) – a collaboration between DHS, USDA, FDA, FBI and private industry to provide a broad perspective on the food and agricultural defense sector.
- Agroterrorism & Food Security University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, addresses agroterrorism.
Biosecurity Threats
- Emerald Ash Borer has recently been identified in western New York State. This insect can be devastating to the ash tree population in the state. One method of limiting the spread of this insect and other invasive insects or diseases:
- Asian Soybean Rust presents a real threat to growers in the United States as well as the rest of the world. If a soybean crop becomes infected, it will result in lower yields and raise production costs, making this disease an important economic threat. Integrated Pest Management has created a map to track the spread of soybean rust in the U.S.
- The Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect, has been found in multiple counties in New York. This insect is native to Asia and has also been detected in Pennsylvania (in 2014), New Jersey, Delaware and Virginia. The pest targets ailanthus trees, in particular, and attacks a wide variety of crops including grapes, hops, apples and forest products. Here is a map of reported infestations from New York State Integrated Pest Management.
