House Committee Hears USDA's Counter-Terrorism Programs

November 16, 2001

USDA Deputy Secretary James R. Moseley outlined for the House Agriculture Committee Thursday what the department and the Bush administration have been doing to counter the threat of terrorism against the nation's food supply in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks on New York City and the Pentagon.

Since the attacks, USDA has been working to increase border protection. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which is in charge of monitoring U.S. borders, has worked within the veterinarian community to increase awareness of security issues to ensure the prevention of harmful plant and animal diseases from entering our country.

Further, USDA recently organized the Food Threat Preparedness Network, which links the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control, Food Safety and Inspection Service and other agencies to focus on activities that would proactively protect our nation's food supply.

President Bush has asked Congress for $45.2 million in supplemental funding to further secure USDA facilities and programs connected with bioterrorism and the food supply. Moseley said USDA also has worked with the Office of Homeland Security and the National Security Council on longer range plans. "We have secured our facilities and inventoried our biological assets with special emphasis on our labs across the country."