Agroterrorism and Food Systems Defense key issues and research needs.
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Transcript of Agroterrorism and Food Systems Defense key issues and research needs.
Agroterrorism and Food Systems Defense
key issues and research needs
Agroterrorism and Food Systems Defense
key issues and research needs
John Shutske, ProfessorUniversity of Minnesota
Center for Public Health PreparednessCollege of Agricultural, Food, and
Environmental Sciences
John Shutske, ProfessorUniversity of Minnesota
Center for Public Health PreparednessCollege of Agricultural, Food, and
Environmental Sciences
Why Should We be Concerned About Agriculture and Food
as a Vulnerable Infrastructure?
Why Should We be Concerned About Agriculture and Food
as a Vulnerable Infrastructure?
(in need of rural P.H. preparedness expertise…)
Five ReasonsFive Reasons
Five ReasonsFive Reasons
1. Size, economic impact of agricultural and food industries
Why Be Concerned About the Food System?
Why Be Concerned About the Food System?
• In 2001, food and fiber industry:− employed nearly 24 million
people− had output > $2 trillion− generated > $1.24 trillion
worth in value added− 12.3% of total gross
domestic product. − 17% percent of American
workers in the food and fiber system
From USDA Economic Research Service (ERS)
We’re Talking About Much More
than Just “The Farm”Food Process Distribution Chain
We’re Talking About Much More
than Just “The Farm”Food Process Distribution Chain
Transport Distribution
Center Processor
D/C - Warehouse
Farm and
Input
supplier
Retail grocer or restaurant
Adapted from materials by Dr. Ted Labuza, University of Minnesota
Five ReasonsFive Reasons
2. Global nature of our food supply
Worldwide, MANY People Producing Food (number is in millions)
Worldwide, MANY People Producing Food (number is in millions)
2.7 billiontotal
Bananas
Cheese
Grains
Cocoa
Oils
Seafood
VegetablesJuices
Fresh Meat
Processed MeatSpices
GlobalizationGlobalization
Graphic from National Ctr. For Food Protection and Defense
Five ReasonsFive Reasons
3. 2,000,000 vulnerable nodes in this country alone
Prevention vs. PreparednessPrevention vs. Preparedness
Which is Easier to Fully Protect?
Which is Easier to Fully Protect?
Five ReasonsFive Reasons
4. Overlap of CDC Category A,B,and C Agents with
Agricultural, Food, and Animals
CDC Biological agents: The Category “A” List
CDC Biological agents: The Category “A” List
• Agents of high risk to national security−easily disseminated or
transmitted person-to-person.−high mortality with potential for
major public health impact.−may cause panic and social
disruption.− require special action for public
health preparedness.
The “A” ListThe “A” List
AnthraxSmallpoxPlague
TularemiaBotulism
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Which are zoonotic?
Five ReasonsFive Reasons
5. We all eat!
Symbolically…..Symbolically…..
• The relationship between people and our food supply is an intimate one.
Imagine Waking Up to the News..
Imagine Waking Up to the News..
• Dairy herds found simultaneously infected in CA, FL, Maine, and WA
• Biological/chemical toxins discovered in school lunches in Lebanon, Kansas
Why Lebanon Kansas?
Two Tabletop Exercisesto help people think about preparedness issues and the
need to work together
Two Tabletop Exercisesto help people think about preparedness issues and the
need to work together
• H5N1 Avian Influenza – The potential public health “perfect storm” (biggest risk factor in Asia is co-mingling of chickens, pigs, ducks, and people!)
• Intentional contamination of an agricultural product with Clostridium botulinum toxin.
ChallengesChallenges
• Critical mass of support.− For research, education, and community
outreach from our federal and state funding partners
− Locally for qualified staff and recognition that public health is mission critical in rural U.S.
• Appreciation that agriculture and food is integral to our national security.
• An understanding that agriculture and food is not simply cute cows and amber waves of grain.
• Balancing “terrorism” issue with other concerns (natural disasters, etc.)
Research QuestionsResearch Questions• How do we garner support and buy-in from the private
sector – What protective practices have the highest returns on investment?
• How do we help communities and businesses deal with the changing demographics of those working in our agricultural and food industries?
• What are the proven ways to increase the recognition and perceived value of public health (people and the work that they do) in rural communities?
• How do we best work together – public health, medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, policy?
• How can we engage urban citizens in issues of rural preparedness (politically and otherwise)?
• What is the optimal balance of basic awareness building education versus in-depth technical skill building (decontamination, recovery, disposal, investigation, etc.)