Agencies Team Up to Protect Food Supply
by FDA News

The Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have launched a new joint effort to protect the nation's food supply. Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in December 2003, thousands of Customs agents are now authorized to inspect foods imported into the United States.

American Chemistry Council Addresses False Allegations about Chemical Industry and Security
by American Chemistry Council

The following information, released by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) is intended to set the record straight, and to provide a clear fact set for anyone interested in learning more or talking about chemical security in the U.S.

Arboretum Highlights the Science of Systematics
by Alfredo Flores

The U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., has a new exhibit on the highly specialized science of systematics and its impact on society.

AT&T, Invizeon Deliver Agriculture Emergency Alert System for Georgia
by PRNewswire Story

AT&T and Invizeon Corp. have been awarded a one-year contract to deliver a first-of-its-kind Web-based emergency alert system for use by key agricultural agencies in Georgia in the event of a crisis, such as an animal disease outbreak or contamination of the state's food supply.

Avian Flu is States' Latest Security Threat
by Mark K. Matthews, Stateline.org Staff Writer

Health officials in California and New Mexico are pressing their states to stockpile anti-viral medication. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) is urging residents to fill their pantries in case everyone is forced inside for an extended period. And Los Angeles airport officials are drawing up plans to quarantine passengers.

Biocide Manufacturers Launching New Formulations to Meet Changing Market Requirements
by PR Newswire

With the current maturity in the major biocide markets, leading producers of biocide active ingredients are increasingly focusing on new formulations and specialty applications for profitable growth. They are also looking beyond the major consuming regions to developing areas in Africa, China, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Rim, according to a new multivolume study recently launched by Biocide Information Services. The global consumption of biocides was $ 3,141 million at active manufacture level in 2002, 40 percent growth on 1992.

Biometrics Standards Being Sought
by Various Sources

Developing standards for biometric data collection is the goal of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Working with other federal agencies the NIST is developing an independent test to help officials determine if commercial biometric fingerprinting systems are accurate and reliable.

Chemical Security to Fall under DHS, not EPA
by Reprinted from FlashPoint, the ILMA Newsletter

The Bush Administration reportedly plans formally to remove responsibility for ensuring the security of the nation’s chemical plants from the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and place that authority with the newly created Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Congressman Applauds Humanitarium Success Story in Iraq
by Elyse Bauer

Upon returning from leading a bipartisan delegation of six House Agriculture Committee Members to Iraq, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chairman of the Committee commented on the transition of the food supply chain from the Public Distribution System, under Saddam, to the Coalition Provisional Authority and the Iraqi Ministry of Trade.

Does Ag Terrorism Need to Happen to be Real?
by Colleen Scherer

Terrorism. Disaster. Hazards. Emergency. These are not the most pleasant concepts we have to face as a society, but they are reality. But these words have been on the top of my mind since I attended a seminar for journalists on how to cover agro-terrorism and disaster-related events. The news is not great for people working in the agriculture industry. However, being aware, alert and prepared will significantly reduce the likelihood of an agro-terrorism event happening.