Efforts to protect the nation’s agriculture sector and food supply against terrorist attacks and high-risk events would be ratched up under a bill that the House approved on Monday.
The Securing Our Agriculture and Food Act, H.R. 1238, would direct the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collaborate with other federal agencies to ensure that food, agriculture and veterinary security are included in larger DHS domestic preparedness policies.
U.S. Rep. David Young (R-IA), the author of H.R. 1238, said House approval of the bill was the final step toward protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture sector against agroterrorism. The measure will now advance to the President’s desk for consideration.
“This important bipartisan effort works to enhance our national security and food safety, for our children and families in Iowa and across the nation,” Young said. “I was proud to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this vitally important bill to President Trump’s desk.”
Introduced in 2016 in response to the avian influenza outbreak that claimed millions of layer hens, turkeys and backyard flocks across the nation, the bill aims to address issues that could prevent the federal government from effectively communicating with stakeholders and taking fast action in response to animal disease outbreaks in the future.
Under the bill, the DHS assistant secretary for health affairs would be tasked with communicating and collaborating with federal agencies and stakeholders to shore up agroterrorism prevention and response capabilities.