Terrorist attacks are designed to
promote fear, create publicity, and create disruption causing as much damage as
possible. Biological attacks are a
credible threat historically resulting in a significant loss of life, severe injury,
and long lasting health threats. After the attacks on September 11, it was no
surprise to officials that anthrax was used in a biological attack while the
country was still in shock.
In February
2009, Abdallah Al-Mafisi appeared on Al Jazeer TV (Qatar) where he outlined a
plot to put four pounds of anthrax in a small suitcase and carry it through the
tunnels in Mexico into the United States.
He painted a picture of standing on the lawns of the White House sprinkling
“confetti” that would kill 330,000 people within one hour dwarfing the effects
on September 11[i]. Extremists openly admit they have
scientists, chemists, and nuclear physicists with labs in North
Afghanistan. Hazbullah is known to have
labs creating biological weapons in South Lebanon selling those weapons to the
highest bidder.
Shortly
after September 11, retired colonel Randall Larson passed through security at
the White House. New security measures
had been implemented that detected metal, radiation, and a thorough search of
personal belongings before his meeting with Vice President Cheney. The guards questioned Larson about a gas mask
in his brief case where he provided the explanation that it was intended to be
used for a demonstration. Larson passed
through the checkpoint. During the
meeting to discuss the potential of biological attacks, Larson was able to
produce a vial of white powder that was smuggled into the White House
demonstrating that United States security forces were not prepared for a
biological attack.[ii]We
are fortunate that we have not faced any large scale attacks on our food supply
other than small scale product tampering or accidental contaminations. The threat is credible as both domestic and
international terrorists have outwardly spoken about agro terrorism to make
political statements.
Manufactured agents could easily be
introduced into livestock feed or water spreading disease. The economic disruption could be devastating
in addition to the myriad of health risks, including loss of life. Improvements have been made including the
Bioterrorism Act of 2002 requiring the registration of food facilities, prior
notice of food imports, and maintenance of records to ascertain the source of
an incident, and the ability for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to
detain food if it is believed to present a health risk[iii]
but this is not enough.
The Government Accountability
Office believes terrorists would attack a food source such as livestock or
crops if their intent were to negatively impact the economy, terrorists would
contaminate finished products to have an impact on human life”[iv]
Congressional testimony in 2003 addressed concerns about disease entering the
United States from foreign imports illustrating a need to strengthen imports
and ensuring agents have clear authority to investigate and take preventive
measures. There was also concern that
food processors were both domestically and abroad had not implemented adequate
security measures throughout the supply chain.
This report also discussed security problems at animal disease research
facilities where scientists, workers, and students from foreign countries had
equal access to high risk pathogens without undergoing appropriate background
checks.
Although there have been
improvements within government to protect the supply chain life cycle, there
are still gaps in security where improvement is needed. By examining recent improvement and
identifying those gaps, recommendations can be made to strengthen security and
enforcement measures to identify and minimize risk.
Improvements
and Resources to Protect the Supply Chain
Supply chain security has been
defined as:
“The
application of policies, procedures, and technology to protect supply chain
assets (product, facilities, equipment, information, and personnel) from theft,
damage, or terrorism, and to prevent the introduction of unauthorized
contraband, people, or weapons of mass destruction into the supply chain”[v].
Protection should begin at the
point of origin, with transparency and procedures to protect the supply chain. Although it is in the best interest for
private industry to participate in securing their operations to limit the
impact on their organization in the event of a loss, companies are not always
willing to invest the time and resources required to establish and manage an
ongoing safety program. In a globalized
supply chain, there are more hands on deck with opportunities for shipping
delays, natural disaster, theft, and contamination of the supply that could
cause significant economic or public health risks.
There are many organizations across
the food and beverage industry that have worked with government agencies
developing policies and procedures to protect the supply chain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is
committed to working with consumer groups to enhance best practices and
mitigate risk while promoting corporate responsibility to actively participate
in food safety initiatives. Over the
last several years, the FDA has increased their presence in foreign countries providing
assistance to enhance food safety measures in countries that export to the
United States. Crop Life America[vi]
supports growers with information on new threats, provides education on
improved growing techniques, and demonstrates a commitment to protect the
supply chain. “The crop protection
chemicals industry [in partnership with Crop Life America] is working in close
cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security to implement the recently
finalized Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards rule”[vii]. This is a regulation requiring chemical
suppliers to monitor and track the sale of toxins that are toxic, explosive, or
flammable. The regulation requires that
all chemicals in the possession of manufacturers and farmers identified as a
potential threat be securely stored to deter theft or diversion as well as
prevent against acts of sabotage or contamination. Professional organizations and government
agencies can assist businesses to develop a plan that will comply with
regulation.
Government is consistently striving
to improve relationships across the supply chain offering guidance and
information on threats. The FDA formalized
partnerships with Cornell’s Department of Food Science and the Illinois
Institute of Technology’s Institute for Food Safety and Health establishing the
groundwork for industry alliances to positively impact industry in 2012. Grants were issued to these organizations to
develop training materials and distance learning programs for the safe
production of food, tools for growers to conduct self audits, and serve as a
network resource for the growing industry and Federal and State regulatory
agencies. The FDA has traditionally
acted in reaction to an event or loss but in recent years has changed their
organization to focus on prevention by implementing “farm to table” security
measures.
Gaps In Security
Although improving security and
food safety is desirable, basic security measures are not always implemented
and often overlooked. Government has
implemented the Food Safety Modernization Act to provide resources that will
help producers identify and control critical points in their operations,
however basic security and minimum requirements should be established. As demonstrated by the escape of a cow at a
New Jersey slaughterhouse[viii],
perimeter fencing in this urban environment was inadequate. Workers at the facility did not know the cow
had escaped until notified by the local authorities. The cow was easily able to escape the
slaughterhouse undetected running through a heavily populated city that
demonstrates the risk of an individual entering the slaughterhouse undetected to
contaminate the food supply and resulting in catastrophic loss.
Transportation of food has not
adequately been discussed. Unlike other
industries that regulate the transport of goods such as chemicals or
pharmaceuticals, there are no requirements to establish a paper trail or
maintain records on food transported. In
establishing safe transport practices preventing theft or contamination during
transport, control points would need to be identified to ensure food safety. Transportation associations have resisted
government involvement claiming food safety is not at risk based on the
historically low incident rate of food contamination during transport stating
“there is no need for FDA involvement in the transportation of food products,
unless they must be refrigerated”[ix] Farmers and manufacturers will need to place
pressure on their logistics partners to ensure they are committed to food
safety and best practices.
Undocumented
workers for the most part do not present a threat of terrorism, but introduce
several risks that could affect public health.
Illegal immigrants create a demand for the underground production of
false documentation and identities that terrorists could take advantage of by
terrorist organizations. The means used
to cross the borders without detection, has already been used by terrorist
cells. The movement of toxins or disease
could easily cross the borders undetected.
These workers present a health risk to the public. They typically do not have health insurance,
nor the means to pay for adequate medical care.
Health conditions often go untreated within this population bringing
risk to the supply chain introducing a virus or other contaminate. Additionally, low income families with easy
access to the supply chain may become the target of a terrorist organization
offering funds to introduce bio-toxins into the food or water supply.
Recommendations
It is recommended that policies are
developed cooperatively “across the enterprise and are designed end to end,
including direct suppliers, critical raw material suppliers, and logistics
partners”[x]. Although government can assist
companies in their efforts to develop internal policies and procedures, they
are not in a position to force companies to institute protective measures. It is critical for the supplier to develop a
security plan that identifies physical security features, limiting access to
the public or outside sources to water supply, feed, or processing areas. As part of the strategic plan to implement
security procedures, communication across the supply chain should be an
integral part of the process. It will be
critical to discuss safety measures with employees, vendors, logistics
partners, and customers to ensure that all partners are committed to product
safety and understand the policies and procedures established by the
manufacturer. In developing partnerships
throughout the supply chain, contracts should include minimum required
safeguards. Frequent site inspections
should be implemented to ensure proper safeguards and contractual obligations
are being implemented
The commitment to protecting the
supply chain should be embraced and discussed while implementing plans between
manufacturing, logistics, and retail partners to set the expectations with all
stakeholders far beyond the contract negotiation. Ryder Trucking and hauling has demonstrated
open communications across the supply chain my leading cross border security
conferences to facilitate ongoing mitigation reviews and risk management in an
ever changing environment. Government
agencies are often involved in conferences or other security meetings to assist
businesses in identifying new risks and offer risk management suggestions.
Government should intervene and
establish a permanent solution to immigration and the risks associated with
undocumented workers. It is very
difficult for some employers to find Americans who will work certain types of
jobs such as dishwashers, housekeeping, farming, and general labor that may
justify the hiring of a non-citizen, however, a system should be implemented
that would allow an employer to legally hire foreign workers that are
documented. A system should be in place
to verify the identity and eligibility for the worker. Part of the process of documenting a worker
may be the certification they are free from contagious disease to further
protect the food supply. Instituting a method
to employ temporary, seasonal, or foreign workers legally will discourage
undocumented workers from crossing the border and help control the underground
ancillary businesses that attract terrorist groups.
Many health care providers have
been establishing medical clinics in the United States to handle the growing
number of uninsured workers that contribute to preventing the spread of
infectious disease. Many immigrant
workers are afraid to visit the clinics because immigration officials
frequently target those facilities to collect and deport those workers. These are workers who will rent a house in a
decent school district and place two or three families in the house to give
their children the opportunity of education.
Untreated infectious diseases could quickly become an epidemic.
Unfortunately, not all
organizations throughout the food supply chain are willing to join professional
associations, or work with government to improve food quality, safety, or transport. Consumer demand will ultimately steer the
industry forcing them to commit to food quality and safety issues whether it is
through litigation in the aftermath of an incident; or through education giving
consumers information understanding why they would want to make a choice to buy
products that are industry approved.
Professional associations, businesses, and government entities should
work towards educating consumers about food quality and the benefits of
choosing food from participating association members that adhere to best
practices in food safety.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Biological Attack in the US..scary Stuff." YouTube. March 23, 2012.
Accessed June 02, 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obXAy1i5RPU.
Bautista, James.
"750-pound Cow Escapes Slaughterhouse, Runs through Paterson
Streets." The Record. April 10, 2012. Accessed June 8, 2012.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/Cow_runs_loose_in_Paterson_after_escaping_slaughterhouse.html.
Betts, Richard K.
"The New Threat of Mass Destruction." Foreign Affairs.
January/February 1998. Accessed June 02, 2012. http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/53599/richard-k-betts/the-new-threat-of-mass-destruction.
"Emergency
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2002. Accessed June 02, 2012. http://www.fda.gov/EmergencyPreparedness/Counterterrorism/BioterrorismAct/default.htm.
Enslow, Beth. "Risky
Business: Tackling the Rising Supply Chain Risk Threat." Risky Business:
Tackling the Rising Supply Chain Risk Threat. Accessed June 20, 2012.
http://www.mmc.com/knowledgecenter/viewpoint/Tackling_the_Rising_Supply_Risk_Threat.php.
"Food Safety
Modernization Act." US Food and Drug Administration. May 5, 2011. Accessed
June 21, 2012. http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm254310.htm.
Fox, Maggie. "After
9/11, Anthrax Attacks Seemed Too Natural." NationalJournal.com. September
1, 2011. Accessed June 02, 2012.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/911-anniversary/after-9-11-anthrax-attacks-seemed-too-natural-20110901.
Hylton, Wil S.
"Warning: There's Not Nearly Enough Of This Vaccine To Go Around."
The New York Times. October 30, 2011. Accessed June 02, 2012.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/magazine/how-ready-are-we-for-bioterrorism.html?pagewanted=all.
"Industry Groups Wary
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September 13, 2010. Accessed June 21, 2012.
http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/docview/752000309?accountid=8289.
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Speier, and Dounglas M. Voss. "A Framework for Protecting Your Supply
Chain." Logistics Management 47, no. 9 (September 2008). Accessed
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http://www.croplifeamerica.org/pesticide-issues/worker-protection.
ENDNOTES
[i] "Another 9/11 Coming? Biological Attack in the US..scary
Stuff," YouTube, March 23, 2012, Introduction, accessed June 02, 2012, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obXAy1i5RPU.
[ii] Wil S.
Hylton, "Warning: There's Not Nearly Enough Of This Vaccine To Go
Around," The New York Times, October 30, 2011, Introduction, accessed June
02, 2012,
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/magazine/how-ready-are-we-for-bioterrorism.html?pagewanted=all.
[iii] "Emergency Preparedness
and Response," Counterterrorism-Related Legislation, June 12, 2002,
Introduction, accessed June 02, 2012,
http://www.fda.gov/EmergencyPreparedness/Counterterrorism/BioterrorismAct/default.htm.
[v] David Kloss,
Cheri Speier, and Dounglas M. Voss, "A Framework for Protecting Your
Supply Chain," Logistics Management 47, no. 9 (September 2008): pg.
#, accessed June 5, 2012, doi:197209740.
[vi] "Worker Protection
Standards," Crop Protection & Pesticide Worker Safety Standards :
Issues, section goes here, accessed June 21, 2012,
http://www.croplifeamerica.org/pesticide-issues/worker-protection.
[vii] Ibid
[viii]
James Bautista,
"750-pound Cow Escapes Slaughterhouse, Runs through Paterson
Streets," The Record, April 10, 2012, section goes here, accessed June 8,
2012,
http://www.northjersey.com/news/Cow_runs_loose_in_Paterson_after_escaping_slaughterhouse.html.
[ix] "Industry Groups Wary of
Plan from FDA on Food Transport," review, Transport Topics, September 13,
2010, pg. #, accessed June 21, 2012,
http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/docview/752000309?accountid=8289.
[x] Beth Enslow,
"Risky Business: Tackling the Rising Supply Chain Risk Threat," Risky
Business: Tackling the Rising Supply Chain Risk Threat, section goes here,
accessed June 20, 2012, http://www.mmc.com/knowledgecenter/viewpoint/Tackling_the_Rising_Supply_Risk_Threat.php
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