AGRI-SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHEMICAL DEALERS:

Agri-Security is everyone’s responsibility.  Dealers of agricultural chemicals, equipment and input products play an important role in keeping Tennessee’s food supply, environment and agricultural production safe from intentional acts of violence and disruption.  The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is committed to working with agribusinesses to minimize risks to our agricultural industry.  Here’s how you can improve security of your business:

Build Awareness

• Conduct a security assessment of your facility.

• Heighten employee awareness of security measures and what constitutes suspicious activity.

• Conduct appropriate background checks on all employees.

• Encourage your customers, including farmers and ranchers, to follow new federal requirements requiring a “transportation security plan” for hauling hazardous materials.

Know your Customers

• Follow verification requirements for restricted-use pesticides

• Be alert to those who pay in cash, won’t take delivery, behave in an unusual manner or can’t state a legitimate agronomic purpose for purchasing a product. 

• Maintain sales records with complete customer information.

Limit Access

• Direct all visitors to main office.

• Require and verify identification for “government” inspectors.

• Escort customers or visitors in loading and storage areas.

• Establish uniform identification for employees.

• Don’t allow unattended vehicles or loaded trailers on site. 

Secure Facility

• Install a security alarm system and use an alarm monitoring service.

• Install gates, construct fences or barriers to limit access to property.

• Install sufficient exterior security lighting. 

• Establish and maintain relationships with local law enforcement, let them know of emergency plans and contacts. 

• Maintain strict inventory control of materials, and use tamper resistant seals and locks on tanks. 

• Conduct daily walk-arounds, and visually inspect tanks and storage areas. 

• Establish procedures and responsibility for securing premises at close of business. 

• Implement key control for locked gates, buildings, containers and equipment.

• Consider posting security-warning signs and surveillance equipment.

Report Suspicious Activity

• Report any unusual or suspicious activity immediately.

• Do not disturb potential crime scenes.

• Maintain and update a list of emergency contacts including local law enforcement, appropriate state and federal agencies including the Department of Agriculture.

Source:  The Fertilizer Institute, and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture