Farmers, ranchers urged to be aware of agroterrorism

The message U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson delivered during the 95th Annual State Convention of the South Dakota Farmers Union Farmers and Ranchers was straightforward: South Dakota faces a real threat of agro-terrorism not only from foreign terrorists but domestic terrorists as well. “There are threats in South Dakota, the threat is very real,” Johnson said. Agriculture is the lifeblood of South Dakota. One attack could shut down the economy of this entire state, so we need to be vigilant about this. We need to make people aware of the real potential of an attack.”

All aspects of agriculture can be targets of terrorists, but Johnson said meat production is the most vulnerable. “Livestock are the number one target for terrorists attacking the agriculture system,” Johnson said. “If you want to get a bunch of cattle sick at once, it’s not rocket science on how to do it.”

Marshall County Journal writes that Johnson said foot and mouth disease is a tool that terrorists may use to attack the nation’s food supply. It is the disease that is most frequently mentioned because it could spread rapidly, is easily introduced, and would do damage quickly. “By the time it was detected, the amount of damage that would be done not only to the animals or the crops but also our economy would be enormous,” Johnson said. “If you have people scared to eat meat or thinking it’s not safe to eat corn, it would cripple our state, it would cripple our economy. That brings home the point that this would be an effective attack on our country.”

Johnson added:

Often we’re so reactive when it comes to our national security, and my fear is that with agro-terrorism we’ll do the same thing. We won’t get really serious about protecting livestock and crops until after something happens. So what we’re trying to do in South Dakota is take the lead in that area.

 

We need to anticipate that it’ll be well planned, and well thought out, and very difficult to prepare ourselves for. It’s not going to be just one state it’s going to be more than one state to maximize the impact to put the whole country in fear.”

The Journal reports that Johnson sits on the Terrorism and National Security Committee put together by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. It is a committee of 8 U.S. attorneys from across the country which advises the attorney general on issues relating to terrorism.

“One of the issues that I raise with the (Terrorism and National Security Committee) at each meeting is the national security of our prairie states, of our rural communities because I believe it’s a real concern,” Johnson said. South Dakota also has an “Agro-Terrorism Working Group,” a consortium of people involved in the agriculture industry who serve as an advisory group to state and federal officials. It’s made up of experts from South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, the State Veterinarian, and other leaders who would be activated immediately in case of an agro-terrorism attack.

Johnson highlighted the dangers of domestic terrorism as well. “There are people who want to shut down the livestock industry in our country who live right here in the United States,” Johnson said. “The FBI has reported over 1,000 attacks and over $100 million in damage since 1996 to meat processors research facilities logging operations and production farming operations.”