| Theme
|
No aspect of life in this country remains untouched by the events of
September 11th, 2001. As the United States faces the possibility of future attacks, the
vulnerability of U.S. agriculture, and the scope of potential damage to both domestic
consumption and international trade, has become increasingly apparent. The Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies (CAPTS) and the Great Plains Institute of Food Safety (GPIFS) at North Dakota State University held a two-day conference that focused on emerging issues related to bioterrorism and food security in the trade of agricultural goods in international markets. The event featured speakers from the federal government (USDA and the U.S. Customs Service), agricultural industry, and academia who evaluated the possibilities of and risks associated with intentional contamination in the processed food industries and the impacts of contamination on trade flows of agricultural commodities and goods. The conference addressed the possible impact of bioterrorism on the U.S. agricultural industry and discussed strategies to prevent terrorism in the processing and distribution of agricultural goods in the United States.
|