Introduction to

Terrorism Against U.S. Agriculture:

This slide show was adapted from a December 2003 presentation by James Schoelz, Ph.D., at the Missouri Summit on AgroTerrorism. Schoelz is Professor and Chair of the Department of Plant Microbiology and Pathology at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Protecting Crops through Plant Biosecurity Management

Presentation Overview

Part 1: Key Points about Terrorism against the U.S. 5 categories of Weapons of Mass Destruction Targeted Attacks against Agriculture

Part 2: What is Plant Biosecurity Management? Pathogens attractive to terrorists List of threatening anti-crop agents

Note: EDEN has developed a list of useful definitions and acronyms specific to this course. Please be aware that “common definitions” do not exist for many agroterrorism and biosecurity management terms. However, while various agencies and disciplines may apply slightly different meanings to the same term, the broad concepts should be fairly similar.

Part 1

Key Points about Terrorism against the U.S.

5 categories of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Targeted Attacks against Agriculture

Question:

How would you explain the broad concept

of terrorism to someone unfamiliar with

the term?

Terrorism can be defined as a malicious

attempt to disrupt economic well-being,

undermine peoples’ confidence, and/or destroy

public health and safety by means of violence

and/or threats to commit acts of violence.

Definition: What is Terrorism?

Sources: UKY; DHS

Sources: Pate & Cameron; UKY; DHS

Points about terrorism against the U.S.:

Can be committed by an individual or group within or outside of the U.S.

Includes small scale and massive efforts

Spurred by religious, political, or ideological beliefs

Variety of weapons and/or agents may be used

Can be one event with immediate impact or planned/delivered over an extended period for a delayed, longer-term impact

Targets may include public events, buildings, infrastructure, agriculture, water supply, etc.

Question:

Can you define the five categories of WMDs

(weapons of mass destruction) used by

terrorists?

Hint: The acronym is C-BRNE

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) are agents and

devices used by terrorists with an intent to cause large scale

destruction, and/or to inflict incapacitation, serious injury,

and/or death to many people.

Definition: What are WMDs?

The 5 WMD categories are known by

the acronym C-BRNE:

Chemical, Biological, Radiological,

Nuclear, and Explosive

C-BRNE: 5 Categories of WMDs

ChemicalToxic substances classified by their effect on human health, which include nerve agents, blistering agents, blood agents, choking agents, and irritating agents.

BiologicalNaturally-occurring, living organisms harmful to humans, plants and animals. Includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins. Most cost-effective WMD for terrorists to produce.

RadiologicalRadioactive substances; high-energy particles or gamma rays emitted by an atom undergoing radioactive decay.

Nuclear Release of nuclear energy caused by atomic nuclei reactions of nuclei with neutron and other nuclei

ExplosiveDevices that cause immediate massive destruction from blast and/or heat; may also be used as a means to disperse chemical, biological, or radiological agents.

Sources: FEMA; MO SEMA; UKY; Encarta

Question:

How would you describe a specific

form of terrorism against agriculture - -

often referred to as agroterrorism or

agri-terrorism?

Agroterrorism (agri-terrorism) is a

malicious attempt to disrupt or destroy the

agricultural industry and/or food supply

systems (i.e. processing, storage, and

transportation).

Definition: What is Agroterrorism?

Question:

What categories of WMDs

would most likely be used

by an agroterrorist?

Can you describe an

agroterrorism scenario for each

of these three types?

√ Chemical

√ Biological

Radiological

Nuclear

√ Explosive

Sources:

Answer:

Possible Agroterrorism Scenarios

Sources:

Chemical - use of a crop duster for aerial

distribution of an irritating agent.

Biological – introduction of a pathogen to

contaminate crops and disrupt U.S. economy

Explosive – destruction of a anhydrous plant with

intent to propel chemical gases into the air

Question:

Why might an agroterrorist “prefer”

biological agents to other WMDs?

Source: UKY;

Characteristics of Biological Agents

Cost-effective for agroterrorists to produce

Can be easy to distribute

Potential to turn into an epidemic

Potential for high injury & mortality rates

Potential to disrupt U.S. exports and effect

economy

Part 2

What is Plant Biosecurity Management?

Pathogens attractive to terrorists

List of threatening anti-crop agents

For your information . . .

This course specializes on plant biosecurity issues:preventing the introduction of biological agents(bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins) to U.S. food crops.

It is important to note that the introduction of biologicalagents can be either intentional (a terrorist attempt) orunintentional (by human error). Therefore, when you teach this course to others, be sure toemphasize that plant biosecurity management is notonly relevant to anti-terrorist activities, but that ongoingbest management practices are also key to the every dayprotection of crops against unwanted pests, pathogens, andagents that are currently present or threaten plants inthe U.S.

Question:

How does agroterrorism relate to

plant biosecurity management?

Plant Biosecurity Management can be

defined as (a) preparing for, (b) responding to, and (c)

recovering from a plant biosecurity problem, and (d)

mitigating the risks of a plant biosecurity event.

It includes a range of management activities performed

by persons in the agricultural sector who are critically

engaged in anti-terrorist activities to help assure the

ongoing safety of the U.S. food supply.

Definition: What is Plant Biosecurity Management?

Question:

Why do agroterrorists seek certainpests or diseases to use as anti-cropagents?

Sources: Biological Warfare Against Crops, Simon Whitby, 2002

Terrorists look for these characteristics:

• Ease of production

• Ease of dissemination

• Low infective dose

• Short incubation

period

• Difficult to diagnose

in early stages

• High infectivity• Short life cycle• Stability in the

environment• Lack of availability of

cost-effective treatments

• Absence of genetic resistance

Question:

Do you know of pathogens that meetat least some of those criteria, andtherefore might be used in anagroterrorism attempt?

Plant pathogens that have potential as anti-crop agents in the U.S.:

Pyricularia oryzae (Rice Blast)

Puccinia graminis tritici (Stem Rust of Wheat)

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzicola (Sugarcane bacterial blight)

Phakopsora pacgyrhizi (Soybean Rust)

TBRV Virus (Tomato Black Ring)

Sources: Whitby, 2002; UTK

Phytophthora infestans (Late Blight of Potatoes)

Summary Terrorism/agroterrorism can be committed by an individual

or group within or outside of the U.S. The 5 WMD categories are known by the acronym C-

BRNE: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive

Biological weapons include the use of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins that are harmful to humans, plants and animals and/or deteriorate property.

Agroterrorism is a malicious attempt to disrupt or destroy the agricultural industry and/or food supply systems

Plant biosecurity management is relevant to the protection of crops against the intentional and unintentional introduction of unwanted pests, pathogens, and agents.

Presentation References

What we can learn from past and current epidemics in plants (2003) Dr. James Schoelz,

University of Missouri-Columbia

Terrorism Response and Preparedness Module 01 [Online Bioterrorism Course], KIPRC,

University of Kentucky

Covert Biological Weapons Attacks Against Agricultural Targets: Assessing the Impact

Against U.S. Agriculture. Pate, J. & Camerson, G. (2001, August). BCSI Discussion Paper

2001-9. John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Glossary. [Online document] Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Encarta ’98 Desk Reference. [CD-ROM]. Microsoft Corporation.

Responding to the Threat of Agroterrorism: Specific Recommendations for the United States

Department of Agriculture. Kohnen (2000), BCSI Discussion Paper 2000-29, pp. 1-13 and 17-

20. John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Crop Biosecurity: Are We Prepared? American Phytopathological Society (2003).

Tentative list of threatening plant pathogens not reported in the U.S. University of Tennessee-

Knoxville

Biological Warfare Against Crops. S. Whitby, 2002

If you would like to determine what you have remembered about this presentation,

proceed to the Quick Quiz. Remember, this is a self-test for your learning purposes only.

Your Quick Quiz score will not be recorded.

Please return to Lesson 1, Teaching Scenario 2

For your information . . .