1. Security of Agrichemicals in Tennessee
Pleasure to be here, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss a cooperative project that is becoming increasingly important to members of the agricultural community.
I’m referring, of course, to the security of agrichemical products stored and used in Tennessee.

2. Cooperative Project Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
The University of Tennessee
Tennessee Valley Authority
Tennessee Agricultural Production Association
The project was initiated earlier this year, and includes input from several organizations, mostly from the above. Wayne Jackson is your representative on the project.

3. OBJECTIVE
To provide information to the Tennessee agribusiness community for the security of agricultural materials targeted for use by others with criminal intent.
The objective is self-explanatory…to research relevant and available information and get it to you so that you will be in a more informed position to make business decisions.

4. THREATS TO AGRICHEMICAL FACILITIES AND USE OF PRODUCTS
TERRORISM
* Domestic
* International
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
* Drug Use
* Vandalism
* Sabotage
The events of 9/11, the bombing of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, and further terrorist and criminal activities has spawned a new era in agribusiness operations. Security is becoming an increasingly important concern, forcing many of you to modify your way of doing business.
We no longer have the feeling that we are living in an open and free society where everyone is honest, and that you can conduct business as usual.
Terrorists and others with criminal intent have and are targeting agrichemical facilities and products for mis-use to wreak havoc and death among the general population. This is evidenced by the bombing of the Edward P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City in 1995 by domestic radical individuals (Timothy McVeigh), the earlier bombing in 1993 and destruction on 9/11 of the World Trade Center and other acts caused by both domestic and international terrorist groups, reports of theft of anhydrous ammonia from farm retail facilities for use in the production process of methamphetamines, reports of vandalism at agrichemical facilities (gunshots fired into storage tanks, etc.), sabotage (opening or breaking locking valves of storage tanks, rail derailments of agrichemical products in transit, etc.
Make no mistake, the threat is real. Just last week, Fox News reported the theft of 1,100 pounds of ammonium nitrate fertilizer from companies in California and Colorado. The theft occurred two weeks ago.
Not only are terrorists targeting agrichemical facilities. TVA reported (TVA Today) on March 5, 2003 the arrest by the FBI in Roanoke, VA of two men thought to be of Egyptian descent. The men were wanted for violating Federal laws. One of them was seen taking pictures around Norris Dam west of Knoxville on Sunday afternoon, March 2., and questioned by TVA police.

5. AGRICHEMICAL PRODUCTS OF INTEREST
High Consequence Dangerous Goods
Materials which have the potential, when misused, to have or produce serious consequences or effects on life or the environment.
Explosives
Toxic gases
Flammable gases in bulk
Flammable liquids in bulk
Oxidizing liquids in bulk
Infectious substances
The Sub-Committee on Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Draft Report of its 22nd Session, Geneva, Dec 2002…listed several high-consequence dangerous goods, including the above. Some of these are found in agrichemical sites i.e liquid urea, anhydrous ammonia, and bulk urea are examples.
FEMA reports that as many as 500,000 products pose physical or health hazards and can be defined as “hazardous chemicals.

6. Chemicals and Other Demolitions Paraphernalia Used in Recent Truck Bomb Attacks Against U.S. Government Facilities*
Substance Amount
Urea Crystals 1,000 lbs. (47% purity)
Nitric Acid Gals.
Sulfuric Acid 60 Gals. (93% purity)
Ammonium Nitrate 108 bags (50# each)
Potassium Nitrate
Hydrogen 4 Bottles (4 feet long)
* Source: DHS Information Bulletin, May 15, 2003
The Department of Homeland security investigated recent truck bomb incidents and looked at materials used in those bombs. This is a partial list of a few of them.
Ammonium nitrate is used as a nitrogen fertilizer, is classified as an oxidizer, but can become a powerful explosive when mixed with fuel oil (plus blasting cap/device)
Note: The government estimated about 4,800 pounds of ammonium nitrate fertilizer was used to make the bomb that killed 168 people in Oklahoma City in 1995.
FOX News issued a report on July 18, 2003 that Federal agents were investigating the theft of 1,100 pounds of ammonium nitrate from companies in California and Colorado that occurred about 2 weeks ago.

7. Risk Management Identify hazards Assess hazards
Develop controls and make risk decisions
Implement controls
Supervise and evaluate
Hazards and risk are prevalent in most everything we do, especially in business operations where potentially dangerous materials that may be potentially dangerous if mis-used are stored and used.
This is a common-sense approach and methodology many use to manage risk.

8. Chemical Security Initiatives
Legislative
U.S. Senate Bill S. 157 (Sen. Jon Corzine, D-NJ) would require new chemical site security upgrades at facilities that store or process certain hazardous materials – designed to regulate large facilities near population centers. Puts EPA in charge.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) working on his own chemical security bill. Places DHS in charge of chemical security
Industry and Trade Association Initiatives
To address chemical security in the U.S., several initiatives have developed.
The Southern Crop Production Association, in its June 2003 publication “Focus”, and a FOX News report on April 21, 2003 stated the legislative initiatives shown. The difference in the bills is the agency in charge.
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) recently put out a Member Action Alert of EPA making visits to retail facilities that file Risk Management Plans (as dealers of Anhydrous ammonia are required to do) to inspect the facilities for security measures taken to secure products from terrorists and criminals. These inspections were voluntary and non-enforcement. I’m not sure of the status of those inspections…whether or not they are still ongoing. Cletus or some of you may know. However, if you are notified of such a visit, both ARA and TFI request they be contacted and informed.
Many state organizations and trade associations have developed programs and initiatives to promote and assist in the security of chemicals from those intent on mis-using them.
Some of which I am familiar, and are most active include ARA, TFI, SCPA, FFAA, North Carolina Department of Agriculture, etc.
Our group has tried to assimilate all information available for your use in your security program. We have developed a booklet with information and key contacts. It, along with a couple other documents of which we have been given permission to distribute, are available at the registration desk.

9. Site Vulnerability Assessments
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice. “ A Method to Assess the Vulnerability of U.S. Chemical Facilities,” Nov 02. NCJ
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “Terrorism Threat Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool.”
Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) Site Vulnerability Assessment. Thru TAPA account, cost ~ $75-$100/site.
One of the key components of the aforementioned initiatives is the development of vulnerability assessments. Several have been developed, and are available from various sources.
It is my understanding, per TFI, that TAPA can set up an account with ARA, and any member of TAPA would contact Cleston to obtain access to ARA’s vulnerability assessment off their website, fill out the forms, and ARA would review the information on your operations submitted, and provide you information regarding your vulnerability points and recommend actions. Based on your operations, the cost is estimated to be $75-150/site.

10. ACTIONS Be Aware Be Proactive Be Alert Be Ready
Bottom Line…there are specific actions that need to be taken now.
Be aware …of the THREAT
Be Proactive… PREPARE
Be Alert…to the THREAT, POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES (VULNERABLE POINTS) IN YOUR OPERATIONS, and SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES and PERSONS
BE READY…have a RESPONSE PLAN an PRACTICE IT.