[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 157 (Wednesday, November 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         AGRICULTURAL BIOTERRORISM COUNTERMEASURES ACT OF 2001

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                          HON. FRANK D. LUCAS

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 14, 2001

  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, the tragic events of September 
11, 2001 have made all Americans appreciate our freedom and democracy 
more than ever. As we continue to get our lives back to normal, we must 
also realize how much has changed.
  Terrorism does not have to be directed only toward people. It can be 
directed at our modes of transportation, our communications 
infrastructure, or even our food supply.
  The United States Department of Agriculture along with the Food and 
Drug Administration is in charge of ensuring that Americans have a safe 
and abundant food supply.
  I would like to make it absolutely clear that because of USDA and FDA 
Americans enjoy the benefit of the safest food supply in the world. 
However, USDA and FDA have not had to clearly focus on how to prevent 
terrorism, bioterrorism, agroterrorism or whatever term you prefer to 
use in describing threats to America's food supply.
  Prevention is the key and long term planning should be the goal to 
continued food safety. Congress needs to take positive steps to help 
USDA perform what we ask of it. Today I am dropping a bill to help with 
prevention and long term planning.
  This legislation authorizes money to be spent on USDA's Agriculture 
Research Service laboratories so that there is adequate plant and 
animal research being performed to combat bioterrorism. Some of USDA's 
most important research facilities need to be modernized in order for 
the U.S. to stand ready in our new fight.
  The bill also provides funds to the Oklahoma City Counter Terrorism 
Institute for research to make sure that USDA, the Department of 
Justice, and other law enforcement and emergency preparedness 
organizations cooperate and have the proper techniques in place in the 
event of bioterrorism events. Further, Oklahoma State is authorized to 
receive a grant to establish a food safety research center.
  The Secretary of Agriculture will develop rapid response field test 
kits that can be quickly deployed to State and local agencies to 
determine if an act of bioterrorism has occurred. These are intended to 
quickly discover and confirm outbreaks of plant or animal diseases, 
pathogens, or other bioterrorism agents.
  The intramural agricultural bioterrorism research and development 
section of the bill will make USDA's ARS programs focus on enhancing 
regulatory agencies response time, encouraging academic and private 
sector partners to work together to maximize research benefits, 
strengthening linkages with the intelligence community to learn what 
research needs are most important and encouraging ARS to work with 
international organizations to control the spread of plant and animal 
diseases.
  The consortium for countermeasures against agricultural bioterrorism 
is truly valuable. Those colleges and universities that turn out animal 
and plant doctors will coordinate with Federal Agencies such as USDA to 
develop the long term program needed to combat bioterrorism. 
Furthermore, competitive grants will be provided through USDA that are 
directed toward the protection of the domestic food supply.
  The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will be 
authorized to receive more funds to increase inspections at points of 
origin and to improve surveillance at points of entry. They will also 
be required to develop new and better techniques working with State and 
local agencies to control the outbreaks of plant and animal diseases.
  The Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) will be charged with 
enhancing its ability to inspect the safety of meat and poultry 
products. Like APHIS, FSIS will be expected to work with State and 
local agencies on creating the best possible means of sharing 
information and technology in order to reach the best results possible.
  This legislation is designed for the long-term benefit of producers 
and consumers alike.

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