Food supply chain 'vulnerable'

After the 11 September attacks and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK, the world's food supply chain remains vulnerable to bioterrorism and naturally occurring food poisoning outbreaks, a panel of US scientists has said in a recent report.

"It's not a matter of 'if.' It's a matter of 'when,'"​ said James Cook, a committee member from Washington State University. "While there may be a very low probability now, what about in 20 years?"​

The scientists said an attack or major poisoning outbreak was unlikely to result in a famine or malnutrition but could shake public confidence in the food supply and devastate the economy - costing anywhere from millions of dollars to tens of billions of dollars.

The report was prepared by the National Research Council, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences. It is one of the most comprehensive reviews of America's plans to fight bioterrorism.

According to the report, the scientist fear that terrorists could carry diseases past border inspectors to farms in remote areas, infecting cattle with mad cow disease, spreading anthrax or contaminating crops with bacteria.

The panel of 12 scientists began considering these possibilities around the time of the attacks and after foot-and-mouth disease infected herds of cattle, sheep and pigs in Britain. Although the disease does not harm humans, it cost Britain millions of pounds to control.

In the US. the appearance of anthrax-laden letters last year also heightened the scientists' concerns.

In its report, the council pinpointed weaknesses in the federal government's plan to defend against a bioterrorist attack on agriculture. It urged US officials to improve their communication with intelligence agencies, universities and farm groups to help the public cope with food and farm security threats.

The group also suggested the US government strengthen its border inspections by adding new equipment to detect harmful bacteria and diseases.

Undoubtedly the report will also have repercussions in Europe, where the newly formed Food Standards Authority is currently working towards similar ends as the US Food and Drink Administration. Although the threat of bioterrorism is not generally perceived to be as great as that in the US, one of the primary objectives of the FDA will be to avoid future mass outbreaks of poisoning or cattle disease - all of which could be spread through terrorist activity.

The impact all of this will have on food and drinks manufacturers in both the US and Europe could well be substantial, with increased security and preventative measures leading to substantially increased investments in security procedures and equipment.

The team of scientist suggested that the US government immediately increase its efforts to understand plant and animal diseases, establish a network of laboratories that would respond to, detect and diagnose diseases and form a nationwide system to manage and collect bioterrorism information.

US Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said in a statement that the agency was already taking steps to improve security and its response to an attack on crops or farm animals.

The agency was given an additional $328 million (€333m) for homeland security improvements this year and is requesting $143 million more for next year.