The Office of Science and Technology Policy Blue Ribbon Panel on the Threat of Biological Terrorism Directed Against Livestock

Focuses on the nation’s emergency management infrastructure and prioritises a future research and development portfolio for thwarting potential terrorist bio-attacks against U.S. livestock and related produce. Motivated by the growing threat of terrorism to the nation’s homeland, the Office of Science and Technology, in conjunction with the RAND Science and Technology Policy Institute, organized and convened a Blue Ribbon Panel in early December 2003 to prioritize a future research and development agenda for combating biological acts of agro-terrorism directed against U.S. livestock and related produce. This report contains the papers submitted for the two-day conference, provides an overview of the findings and recommendations of the forum’s breakout groups, and discusses the wider threat contingencies related to agro-terrorism.