Agroterrorism: Agricultural Targets and U.S. Preparedness
This paper examines agroterrorism — the deliberate introduction of animal or plant disease to generate fear and economic harm — with a focus on vulnerabilities in the United States agricultural sector. It identifies cloven-hoofed livestock as the most at-risk target, particularly through the intentional introduction of foot-and-mouth disease, which spreads rapidly and could cost billions of dollars in economic damage. The paper also outlines the preventative and responsive measures required to address such threats, and surveys key legislation and agency actions — including the Bioterrorism Preparedness Act and expanded USDA and FDA oversight — that the U.S. government has implemented to monitor, contain, and respond to potential agroterrorist attacks.
- Introduction to Agroterrorism: Defines agroterrorism and outlines paper scope
- Vulnerabilities of Agricultural and Environmental Targets: Identifies key weaknesses in U.S. agricultural security
- Foot-and-Mouth Disease as a Primary Threat: Explains foot-and-mouth disease as leading agroterror risk
- Economic Consequences of an Agroterrorist Attack: Quantifies financial damage from livestock disease attack
- Prevention and Response Strategies: Outlines required preventative and responsive measures
- Government Legislation and Agency Actions: Reviews laws and agency roles in agroterrorism defense
- Conclusion: Summarizes threat severity and government preparedness efforts
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What makes this paper effective
- Clearly defines the central concept (agroterrorism) up front using a cited authoritative source, giving the reader an immediate grounding in the topic.
- Strategically narrows a broad threat landscape to a single, well-supported example — foot-and-mouth disease — making the argument focused and concrete.
- Balances threat analysis with policy response, moving logically from problem identification to government countermeasures.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective use of government and policy documents as primary sources (Congressional Research Service, U.S. Department of Justice, RAND Corporation), lending credibility to threat assessments and policy evaluations. This approach — grounding an analytical argument in official institutional research — is a standard and valued technique in public policy and security studies writing.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a definition and scope statement, then moves through vulnerability assessment, a focused case study on foot-and-mouth disease, economic impact analysis, and a two-part treatment of preventative and responsive strategies. It closes with a summary of government actions and a brief conclusion that reinforces the thesis. The structure is linear and thesis-driven, appropriate for a short policy essay at the undergraduate level.
Introduction to Agroterrorism
Terrorist attacks against agricultural targets — also known as agroterrorism — are defined as the "deliberate introduction of an animal or plant disease with the goal of generating fear, causing economic losses, and/or undermining stability" (Monke 1). Research has demonstrated that such an attack could have a devastating impact, with repercussions not just for the food supply but for numerous related industries as well (RAND 1). This paper first identifies which agricultural target is most vulnerable in the United States, and then examines what the government is doing to prepare for and protect the nation against agroterrorism.
Vulnerabilities of Agricultural and Environmental Targets
Agricultural and environmental targets present major problems for the country if attacked. The close confinement of livestock accelerates the spread of pathogens. Crops are maintained in unsecured, wide-open areas that are easy to access. Even a rumor about an agricultural pathogen can halt exports, creating devastating economic consequences. Moreover, many scientists — including veterinarians — lack experience identifying certain infectious diseases, precisely because those diseases do not currently exist in the United States (Monke 1).
Foot-and-Mouth Disease as a Primary Threat
An attack on cloven-hoofed livestock through the intentional introduction of foot-and-mouth disease appears to represent the most vulnerable target and the most likely means of attack (Gonzales, Schofield, and Schmitt 1). Cloven-hoofed animals include cows, pigs, deer, and goats. The disease produces painful blisters that prevent animals from eating, drinking, walking, and being milked. With an infection rate twenty times that of smallpox and an airborne transmission range of 50 feet, it would spread rapidly through livestock populations. While humans cannot contract foot-and-mouth disease, they can carry and transmit it to additional animals (Gonzales, Schofield, and Schmitt 1).
Economic Consequences of an Agroterrorist Attack
A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak would devastate the livestock industry and all related markets. Gonzales, Schofield, and Schmitt (1) explain that it would lead to the slaughter of millions of animals, halt domestic and international sales of meat products for potentially years, and cost American taxpayers an estimated $60 billion. Additionally, while the known strains of foot-and-mouth disease cannot be contracted by humans, this does not preclude the possibility that an intentional modification or natural mutation could eventually make it transmissible to people. The combination of severe economic damage and the potential for the pathogen to evolve into a human disease makes this a critical agroterrorism concern.
Conclusion
After September 11, 2001, the U.S. government began working to prevent future attacks and minimize the devastation they cause. Agricultural and environmental targets are not immune from terrorism and, if compromised, could produce long-term damage to the United States. A foot-and-mouth disease attack on important livestock, for instance, could inflict crippling economic harm. The government has responded to this and other potential threats by equipping agencies to monitor, regulate, and respond — with the goal of preventing agroterrorism before it occurs.
In summary, agroterrorism represents a serious concern for the United States. An attack on livestock — particularly through the introduction of an airborne pathogen as virulent as foot-and-mouth disease — could create lasting economic and public health problems. Through its agencies and legislative framework, the government is working to strengthen both preventative and responsive measures, either to stop an agroterrorist attack from occurring or to mitigate its consequences if one succeeds.
Works Cited
Gonzales, Alberto, Regina Schofield, and Glenn Schmitt. Agroterrorism — Why We're Not Ready: A Look at the Role of Law Enforcement. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, 2006. Print.
Monke, Jim. Agroterrorism: Threats and Preparedness. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Research Service, 2004. Print.
RAND National Defense Research Institute. Agroterrorism: What Is the Threat and What Can Be Done About It? Santa Monica: RAND Corporation, 2003. Print.
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