Since September 11, 2001, U.S. citizens have a better understanding of our vulnerability and the ongoing need to secure key assets and sectors of our economy from intentional attack. One of the sectors often overlooked is agriculture. 

Many security and terrorism experts consider our agricultural system to be among our country’s most vulnerable targets whether a terrorist’s goal is to instill fear, damage the economy, or directly impact the lives and health of people.

The pages in this Agrosecurity section (Background, Protecting Farms, and Preparing for an Agroterrorism Event) will help you develop a better understanding of the concept of agroterrorism, and will present you with a framework for thinking about and securing our agricultural system from intentional attack. 

A whitepaper on the concept of agroterrorism was written by Steve Cain at Purdue University in September 2001.   

The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) also has developed a concise overview of agricultural biosecurity issues and agents of concern.

The importance of agricultural security was highlighted in January, 2004 by President George W. Bush in his issuance of Homeland Security Presidential Directive #9, entitled "Defense of United States Agriculture and Food."