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Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-6342 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu |
For Immediate Release
Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor
Phone: (307) 766-6342
E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu
Archived News Site www.uwyo.edu/agadmin/news/news.htm
Date: April 11, 2006
UW bulletin suggests ways to
protect agriculture from agroterrorism
A farmland security bulletin from the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (UW CES) describes how farmers and ranchers can protect their operations and the agriculture industry from agroterrorism.
The bulletin, Farmland Security, offers suggestions for safe practices on farms and ranches, traffic control and safety, farm and ranch sanitation and facility security.
“Traditional emergency responders are well recognized as the first line in responding to potential terrorist events, but farmers and ranchers and everyone involved in agriculture may hold the true first line of defense to prevent, detect, or respond to acts of terrorism on agriculture or agroterrorism,” said Ron Cunningham, UW CES educator for the Fremont County and Wind River Area. Cunningham and Jim Gill, Washakie County CES educator, wrote the bulletin.
A variety of targets are abundant within agriculture that terrorists could use to disrupt or adversely affect the nation’s safe food supply, noted Cunningham. “Even giving the impression our food supply is poisoned by pathogens or diseases could cause economic chaos and mistrust of food safety.
“The goal of everyone involved in agriculture should be to implement sound security or biosecurity measures to minimize the introduction or spread of dangerous pathogens and diseases onto or between farms or ranches.”
Farmland Security, MP113.1, can be downloaded free at http://ces.uwyo.edu/PUBS/MP113_1.pdf or obtained by contacting Cunningham in Lander at (307) 332-1044 or ronc@uwyo.edu.
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