This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. American agriculture represents a "soft" target for terrorists. The single greatest threat to our agricultural economy is foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). An outbreak of this highly-contagious viral disease would have a catastrophic effect, including cessation of beef exports, full-scale quarantines, possible destruction of millions of animals, stop-movement orders, and economic chaos. Five primary groups are considered to be threats to agriculture: internat. terrorists, domestic terrorists, militant animal rights groups, economic opportunists, and disgruntled employees. This in-depth study determined law enforcement's role in protecting against acts of agro-terrorism. Conclusion: Law enforcement has insufficient resources to adequately respond to a FMD outbreak.

U.S. agriculture is very vulnerable to attack through animal, plant, or zoonotic pathogens; one attack could affect an entire sector of the food chain. Rich with alarming yet elucidating scenarios/vignettes of potential threats to the Agriculture system, Threats to Agriculture: A Strategic National Security Asset defines agroterrorism and provides examples of attack through animal pathogens, human pathogens, and zoonotic pathogens. The book provides Homeland Security and FEMA professionals, state and local emergency managers, security consultants, and agricultural engineers with recommended actions for prevention and mitigation to protect agricultural resources.