HEARING ON AGRICULTURE SECURITY IN THE UNITED STATES

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, September 13, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) will hold a hearing titled Agro-Defense: Responding to Threats Against America’s Agriculture and Food System to examine the federal government’s progress to implement the nation’s food and agriculture defense policy.

Protecting the U.S. agriculture and food system from natural and intentional threats is vital to our national security.  A disruption to the food and agriculture systems, whether it is caused by natural disasters, food contamination or disease outbreaks, could present a serious threat to public health and the U.S. economy.  This hearing will review the Departments of Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services’ efforts to respond to and recover from food and agriculture major incidents, including results from a soon-to-be-released Government Accountability Office report that will highlight response and recovery challenges.

The hearing will be webcast live at: hsgac.senate.gov

WITNESSES:

Colonel John T. Hoffman, Senior Research Fellow, National Center for Food Protection and Defense, University of Minnesota

Dr. Paul Williams, DVM, Director of Agriculture, Food, and Veterinary Programs, Division of Homeland Security, Georgia Emergency Management Agency

Ms. Lisa Shames, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Government Accountability Office

Dr. Doug Meckes, DVM, Director of Food, Agricultural, and Veterinary Defense Division, Office of Health Affairs, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Mr. Ted Elkin, Director, Office of Food Defense, Communication, and Emergency Response, Center for Food and Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Ms. Jessica Pulz, Policy Analyst, Resiliency and Preparedness Division, Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination, U.S. Department of Agriculture