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Young Legislation to Protect Agriculture Industry, Food Supply Passes House Subcommittee

Press Release

Date: June 16, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security Agriculture and Food Federal, State and Local Relations

Iowa Congressman David Young released the following statement after the Securing our Agriculture and Food Act (H.R.5346), legislation he introduced earlier this year, was reported out of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.

In 2015, Iowa suffered the largest animal disease outbreak in our state's history when avian influenza wiped out millions of layer hens, turkeys, and backyard flocks. Response efforts revealed problematic breaks in the federal government's ability to communicate with stakeholders and react quickly to large-scale animal disease outbreaks. This disaster also raised additional concerns among stakeholders about our nation's ability to share information and quickly respond to agro-terrorism threats and attacks, as well as about securing our nation's food supply and ultimately protecting our consumers.

Congressman Young's agro-terrorism bill requires the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to elevate preparedness of our nation's food, agriculture, and veterinary systems against terrorism and high-risk events. The bill authorizes the secretary to collaborate with other agencies, to ensure food, agriculture, and animal and human health sectors receive attention and are integrated into the DHS' domestic preparedness policy initiatives.

"We must prioritize agro-terrorism preparedness to combat threats and ensure the safety and security of the food that reaches our kitchen tables, and our nation's livestock and agriculture industry," Congressman Young said. "Last year's avian influenza outbreak revealed vulnerabilities and coordination challenges between federal and state governments when responding to animal disasters. We must have policies in place to help ensure something like this never happens again."

The Securing our Agriculture and Food Act will next be considered by the full U.S. House Homeland Security Committee.


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