Office of the Director
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Reynoldsburg, Ohio

 October 15, 2001 

To Owners and Operators of Agriculture Enterprises:

Recommended Precautions Against the Potential for Bioterrorism

The Ohio Department of Agriculture’s field staff and laboratories have been on “full alert” since the attacks of Sept. 11. Our veterinarians, livestock inspectors, and other field personnel are increasingly vigilant in watching for potential follow-up acts of terrorism. We are cooperating in this effort with the Ohio office of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

As you know, President Bush has indicated that this is not a short-term concern, but one which will extend over a considerable period of time. Also, both the President and experts outside his administration have indicated that should a second attack occur, it may be in the form of chemical or biological weapons.

Along with our counterpart agencies in other states, the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s new precautions against this eventuality began as a response to an Emergency Management Notice sent nationwide to USDA-APHIS offices on Sept. 11 and forwarded to state agriculture agencies the next morning. It read, in part:

“As a result of today’s terrorist activities against the United States and the potential for additional intentional acts which may impact national security, Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) surveillance will be increased nationwide. No potential FAD cases should be disregarded. Potential hoaxes should be treated as real incursions of FADs until proven otherwise. Specific attention should be directed at livestock and poultry concentration points. Investigators and laboratory personnel should implement an appropriate level of personal protection when examining animals, carcasses and submitted samples until potentially zoonotic diseases can be ruled out. Early detection remains the key to minimizing the impact of such a disease introduction.”

Since then, it has become apparent that vigilance is needed from more than government staff working with the livestock industry. Farmers and all those who serve both the livestock and plant agriculture industries should keep a closer watch than ever for the threat of sabotage. Our state’s livestock, animal feed, and human food and water supply are acknowledged by experts as potential vehicles for biological attack. Some of the products used for animal health, plant growth, pest control, and public health protection can be misused as potential agents to attack people or places.

If you suspect problems or discover evidence of tampering or trespassing, you should notify local law enforcement officials immediately. If you believe you see evidence of foot-and-mouth disease or some other foreign animal disease, please call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-300-9755. Or if you have questions about our department’s procedures and plans to respond to bioterrorism threats, please call us toll-free at 1-800-282-1955.

Here are some specific things we recommend you do to protect your premises:

·         Fertilizer dealers: report suspicious purchases of or attempts to purchase ammonium nitrate or urea to the FBI.

·         Livestock producers and veterinarians: be alert for signs of infectious foreign animal diseases, and check your animals daily for symptoms.

·         Pay close attention to product inventories and shipments.

·         Conduct a security review of your farm or facility, including your structures, parking areas, personnel who have access to your properties, alarm systems, emergency power systems, employee and visitor identifications, communications, perimeter security, and contingency plans, and provide training to personnel.

·         Ensure security and emergency plans and procedures are in compliance with local, state, and federal requirements.

·         Keep an updated list of all emergency contacts and numbers and share it with others in your firm.

·         Report all suspicious activities, vehicles, or persons around your property.

·         Report all threats on personnel and facilities.

·         Report all thefts, inventory shortages, or missing products that could pose a public health or safety risk.

·         Report all burglaries, sabotage to facilities or equipment, and vandalism or activities that may pose a safety or security risk.

By working together, I know we can better assure the health, safety, and well being of the people of Ohio and our country. I know I can count on you and our many other partners in the food and agriculture industry to unite in this crucial effort.

Thank you for your help.

Fred L. Dailey
Director
Ohio Department of Agriculture