JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (AP) – Experts believe it is not a matter of if, but when, the United States will become a victim of agricultural terrorism, authorities testified Thursday at a legislative hearing examining the vulnerability of the nation’s food supply.

“Biological agents that could be used to contaminate or destroy crop plants are widely available and easily transported and dispersed,” said Rosemary Loria, a Cornell University plant pathologist who said millions of spores can be carried in a single test tube.

Experts said farm animals are equally at risk.

“The vulnerability of the United States to an intentional delivery of biological products with the intent of causing economic harm, physical injury or disease to people, animals or plants is undeniable,” said Alfonso Torres, director of the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell.

At issue are whether states are prepared to recognize and contain such attacks on homegrown products – as well as whether the ever-increasing amount of food imports coming into the country can be adequately inspected.

Outdated diagnostic facilities and only limited inspections of food imports may leave New York short on both counts, authorities testified.

Farmers received a “real wake-up call” even before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks when they watched their European counterparts lose billions of dollars to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, said Phyllis Couture of the New York Farm Bureau.

New York’s status as a major point of entry for food imports left the state’s farmers “terrified” about the possibility the disease would make its way to their farms, she said.

Security has not typically been a priority for farmers focused on pest control, the weather and animal health, she said.

For many farmers, like grape growers, some levels of security are not even realistic, said Thomas Davenport, director of viticulture at the National Grape Cooperative, noting wide open vineyards bordering highways across the state.

“While we all want to maintain the scenic beauty and openness of our vineyards, accessibility brings with it potential risk,” he acknowledged.

Torres said individual states, as a first line of defense, have a duty to prepare for “agri-terrorism.” In the event of an attack anywhere in New York or New England, Torres’ lab would be responsible for its detection. (Unlike, for example, a mailed anthrax threat, the spread of disease among crops or animals might not be easily recognized as intentional.)

Diagnostic capacity is “perhaps the area where the state of New York has the greatest vulnerabilities,” Torres said, blaming “completely outdated and woefully inadequate” laboratory facilities.

Cornell recently began a feasibility study, funded by a $1 million grant from Empire State Development, for a new Animal Health Diagnostic Center. But the estimated $50 million or $60 million cost of building a new lab is unsecured.

Although construction of a new center has the support of state lawmakers, including Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito and Sen. Patricia McGee, who oversaw Thursday’s hearing, there are no guarantees.

“I cannot say there’s a blank check given the financial state of New York right now,” McGee said.

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