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NCGA's
Input Sought on Homeland Security Issues (1-25-02)
National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President-Elect Fred Yoder and Director
of Energy Analysis John McClelland heard an earful Wednesday when they
learned more about the effects terrorist activities could have on agriculture.
The
NCGA representatives were among a wide array of organizations invited
to a briefing by Tom Ridge, Director of the White House Office of Homeland
Security, at the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. The
briefing was specifically on the national threat advisory system which
is establishing a set of conditions and measures for threats -- terrorist
and otherwise -- throughout the nation.
Ridge
used the opportunity to talk about the need for the nation to take a
very broad approach to homeland security. Specifically, there is an
urgent need to look at the infrastructure for energy and food supplies,
as well as the safety of our citizens.
As
tragic as events were on Sept. 11, all stakeholders must to use this
opportunity to build a better, safer, stronger America, Ridge told those
attending the briefing. Ridge emphasized, the need for all groups represented
at the briefing to help in developing a homeland security plan by sharing
information with the Office of Homeland Security on how they can help
protect the nation's critical infrastructure.
Yoder
noted that Ridge talked about how much he has learned about the vast
array of homeland security issues that are out there -- everything from
protecting hydroelectric dams to internet security to making sure that
critical infrastructures like gas pipelines are safe and secure.
"My
immediate thought was about disruptions that could cause shortages of
agricultural inputs at critical times, such as natural gas shortages
before planting so there wouldn't be enough supply of nitrogen fertilizer,
or at harvest to dry grain," Yoder said. "We could have some
real problems because of those kinds of breakdowns in infrastructure
that might be caused by terrorist attacks."
McClelland
noted that, "The agricultural sector would suffer greatly from
any attacks on energy and transportation infrastructures that have serious
impacts on our ability to deliver food and fiber."
NCGA
will host a follow-up meeting focused on agricultural issues and homeland
security, with USDA Secretary Ann Veneman's office on Feb. 7.
Last reviewed
January 25, 2002
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