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Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine)
have introduced legislation that sets out a national strategy
to prepare for, detect, respond to and recover from an agro-terror
attack or catastrophic food emergency.
The National Agriculture and Food Defense Act requires federal
departments to develop a coordinated strategy for agriculture
and food emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
It authorizes $2 million in funding to train and educate
state personnel on food defense and help states develop
food emergency response plans.
The legislation also seeks to improve communication and
coordination between state and federal authorities by authorizing
states to hire agriculture and food defense liaison officers.
To speed up detection of animal disease outbreaks and food-related
emergencies, the bill integrates nationwide diagnostic laboratory
networks and develops on-site rapid diagnostic tools.
A copy of the bill is available on the National
Association of State Departments of Agriculture's Web site
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