TDA Agri-Security Actions

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• The Department of Agriculture contracted with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture to develop the Tennessee Agricultural Emergency Management System (TAgEMS). The purpose of TAgEMS is to provide a system for accessing accurate and timely information about livestock operations to assist in animal emergency events. The project will utilize Geographic Information System technology to identify operations, define potential quarantine areas, model the spread of disease, and provide guidance for other incident management measures.

• The Department of Agriculture participated in Vulnerability Assessments for two food processing facilities. The Assessments are part of a program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Protective Services Division to provide analysis and guidance on facility security procedures.

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• In 2003, the Tennessee General Assembly passed Public Chapter 132 that codifies emergency rules previously implemented by the department to address cropduster security issues.  As a Homeland Security initiative, the law increased regulatory oversight of credentials, notification procedures and record-keeping for pilots engaged in the commercial aerial application of pesticides.

• In 2003, the statewide Animal Emergency Response Plan, referred to as Emergency Support Function 16 of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, was completed.  The plan provides guidance to state and local governments for addressing terrorist-related as well as natural disaster events that could impact livestock and other animals in Tennessee.

• As part of the Animal Emergency Response Plan, the department initiated DART, Disaster Animal Response Team, to help local governments develop preparedness plans and to identify animal health professionals and others capable of responding in the event of an emergency.

• In August 2003, TDA conducted its first animal emergency tabletop exercise involving nearly 200 local, state and federal emergency responders and industry and community leaders.  The exercise, held in Knoxville, simulated a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in East Tennessee and challenged participants to respond to regulatory, environmental, human health and animal health issues. 

• In 2003, the department received $215,000 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to aid with training, strategic planning and the expansion of laboratory and investigative equipment for agroterrorism.   The department is pursuing a “biosecurity level 3” designation for its Ivy Laboratory facility at Ellington Agricultural Center.  The designation will enable the department to more quickly identify and respond to bio-hazards that could potentially impact animal and human health.  

• Federal dollars are being used to enhance the law enforcement capabilities of the Agriculture Crime Unit.  The ACU consists of eleven trained law enforcement officers who help provide a presence in rural areas and coordinate with local law enforcement agencies.  The unit supports the department’s regulatory programs and routinely investigates livestock thefts.  In addition to providing security on state forests, the unit specializes in wildland arson investigation during peak fire season. 

• TDA, in cooperation with the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service, is participating in a vulnerability assessment initiated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP).  The assessment covers different areas of security concerns including agricultural production.   Information has been collected on agriculture at the county level for submission to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.  State information and plans are to be submitted to ODP by December 31, 2003.   The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will in turn use this information as a basis for making future allocations of federal dollars for emergency preparedness. 

• TDA in cooperation with the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine is proposing to expand the current veterinary laboratory at Knoxville to provide regional animal diagnostic capabilities in East Tennessee.  The regional laboratory would facilitate diagnostic services to livestock producers and veterinarians as well as provide specialized diagnostic procedures for foreign animal diseases.

• TDA reviewed personnel and operational needs deemed critical to homeland security.  Sixteen positions were filled in 2002 to strengthen efforts in animal health, food safety, chemical and microbiological analysis, pesticide inspection and law enforcement.  Three law enforcement officers were sworn in for a total of eleven in the Agricultural Crime Unit.  The ACU provides law enforcement and investigative support to animal and plant health, food safety, pesticides and wildfire arson prevention and prosecution.

• In July 2002, emergency rules were formalized requiring cropdusters to obtain photo identification, notify local sheriff’s offices of spraying activities and to secure planes when not in use. 

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• Well before September 11, 2001, TDA was working on an animal emergency response plan together with the USDA Veterinarian Services and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.  Foreign animal disease outbreaks like Foot and Mouth Disease in the United Kingdom raised awareness of the importance of emergency preparedness.  Malicious or not, an animal disease outbreak could cost Tennessee farmers millions of dollars in production losses and threaten human health and the environment.

• In October 2001, in response to perceived threats and by order of the Governor, TDA verified the credentials of aerial pesticide applicators and issued photo identifications.  Cropdusters were required to notify local sheriff offices of their activities.  With the cooperation of the agricultural community, TDA was able to issue new licenses within three days to more than 50 cropdusters operating in the state.