Michael A. Gips

About the author: Michael A. Gips is a senior editor of Security Management, a magazine published by the American Society for Industrial Security.

Deliberately induced outbreaks of animal disease, like natural ones, can cause economic devastation, and bioterrorist attacks on livestock would be relatively easy to carry out. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other groups are taking steps to reduce U.S. agriculture's vulnerability. Border inspection for diseases and other problems is being increased. Farmers are being taught how to report animal disease and reduce the physical vulnerability of their farms. Veterinary and other programs aimed at early detection of outbreaks are being launched or strengthened. New communication networks are being created. Difficulties in containing outbreaks revealed by simulations are...