Terrorism: It 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.
Weapons of
Mass Destruction (WMDs) : These 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. There
are five categories of WMDs (weapons of mass destruction) used by terrorists. C-BRNE: 5
Categories of WMDs
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Chemical
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Toxic substances classified by their effect on human
health, which include nerve agents, blistering agents, blood agents, choking
agents, and irritating agents.
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Biological
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Naturally-occurring, living organisms harmful to
humans, plants and animals. Includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins.
Most cost-effective WMD for terrorists to produce.
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Radiological
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Radioactive substances; high-energy particles or
gamma rays emitted by an atom undergoing radioactive decay.
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Nuclear
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Release of nuclear energy caused by atomic nuclei
reactions of nuclei with neutron and other nuclei
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Explosive
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Devices that cause immediate massive destruction from
blast and/or heat; may also be used as a means to disperse chemical,
biological, or radiological agents.
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Agroterrorism: When any person knowingly or maliciously uses biological or chemical
agents as weapons against the agriculture industry and food supply or the
malicious use of plant or animal pathogens to cause disease in the agricultural
sector – plants or animals.
Two weapons
categories
1.
Disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses and prions
2. Toxic
substances produced by or from living organisms such as bacterial toxins, fungi
and molds, plant extracts and animal toxins
Objective of Agroterrorist’s
ü Attack our food supply and create Shortages
ü Cause us to fear, to lose faith and confidence
ü An indirect form of attack and aggression
Why do agroterrorists seek certain pests or diseases
to use as anti-crop agents?
Terrorists look for these
characteristics:
ü Ease
of production
ü Ease
of dissemination
ü Low
infective dose
ü Short
incubation period
ü Difficult
to diagnose in early stages
ü High infectivity
ü Short life cycle
ü Stability in the environment
ü Lack of availability of cost-effective treatments
ü Absence of genetic resistance
Prevention and Response
1. Office of Bio and Food Security Preparedness
2. Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement
- Helping protect against the spread of “citrus greening”
- Guarding against“mad cow” disease (bovine spongiform encephalitis)
3. Domestic Security
- Prepare first responders;
- Improve information, intelligence and technology
capability;
- Enhance public health capacity and bio-terrorism
defenses.
4. NPDN: National Plant Diagnostic Network
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