The threat of terrorist attacks on America has heightened awareness of the potential for agricultural terrorism.
We support:
- Increased penalties for individuals who destroy or contaminate agricultural property to create terror.
- Increased communication between state and federal agencies in preparation for a response to an agricultural terrorist attack or threat.
- Continued testing and monitoring of food and feed.
- Evaluating the security of food and feed storage facilities.
- Increased scrutiny and screening of imported agricultural goods.
- Giving preference to domestically produced agricultural goods.
- Changes to regulations established to prevent agricultural terrorism, which need to consider the importance of maintaining an adequate workforce for agriculture and related industries.
- Increased funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to protect animal health and agriculture industries at airports and ports of entry.
- A stronger effort to increase biosecurity measures on farm operations and at the state and national level.
- Communication with local law enforcement and emergency services regarding suspicious activity.
- Reporting theft of fertilizer, diesel fuel, or diesel exhaust fluid.
- Verifying and validating requests for information about an agricultural facility.
- Controlled access to facilities.
- Screening of employees.
We oppose:
- Additional regulation without consultation of the agricultural community.
- Unauthorized entry by agents of the state of Michigan or the U.S. government into facilities (including worker housing units, barns, accessory buildings and fields) which violates the Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices, Good Agricultural Practices standards, and biosecurity standards.
Foreign investment in Michigan assets is a concern, especially in terms of farmland ownership. Ownership of agricultural land by nonresident aliens, foreign businesses and foreign governments should be limited if not prohibited in Michigan.