Grainnet

Three Leading Grain, Feed Organizations Establish New Agroterrorism Prevention, Facility Security Committee

Washington,DC -– The nation’s three leading associations representing the grain, feed, grain processing and grain export industries have established a new joint committee reflecting their ever-expanding leadership roles in addressing government policy and industry best practices concerning agroterrorism prevention and facility security.

The new committee was announced by the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) and Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS).

The 15-member committee consists of top industry experts from each of the three organizations, and will be chaired by W. Jerry Cotter, director of operations at the Port of Corpus Christi (Texas) Authority.

“Establishment of this new committee reflects the strong, continuing commitment of each of our organizations to proactively contribute to the further hardening of the U.S. agricultural system against threats to food and feed security,” said NGFA President Kendell W. Keith, NAEGA President and Chief Executive Officer Gary C. Martin, and GEAPS Executive Vice President David Krejci.

“Our organizations were among the first to issue facility security guidance to the grain, feed, grain processing and export sectors following the tragedy of 9/11, and have continued to partner with government to identify and address real, versus perceived, risks.

"This new committee, comprised of top industry talent, will provide a central focal point for addressing these issues in the years to come. We appreciate these leaders’ dedication and willingness to serve.”

The new Agroterrorism-Prevention and Facility Security Committee will have overarching responsibility for addressing the following major areas previously managed by several other committees within the NGFA, GEAPS and NAEGA organizational structure:

Legislative and Regulatory: Respond to government legislative and regulatory proposals, as well as guidance documents, concerning agroterrorism prevention and facility security matters. Such issues include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) development and implementation of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, chemical facility security rules and transportation worker identification credentials; the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulations and activities emanating from the Bioterrorism Act; regulations issued by the U.S. Coast Guard for port and waterborne transportation security; and homeland security-related initiatives underway at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Industry Best Practices: Develop new and update existing industry guidance and best practices to enhance facility and product security. In this capacity, the new committee will serve as a “go-to” resource for the grain, feed, grain processing and export industry on potential vulnerabilities – real and perceived.

It also will be a mechanism for addressing inquiries concerning agroterrorism prevention and effective countermeasures to protect and secure the nation’s supply of grains, oilseeds, feed and grain products.

In this capacity, the new committee also will advise the NGFA and GEAPS on future Operations, Management and Technology Seminar program topics addressing agroterrorism prevention, facility security and regulatory compliance.

Such topics have been featured prominently in previous educational seminars conducted by the two organizations.

Involvement in Joint Government-Industry Partnership Initiatives to Enhance Food, Feed Security: The committee will monitor the activities of the joint government-industry Food and Ag Sector Security Coordinating Council, on which the NGFA serves.

This body provides for joint government-industry collaboration on policy, communications and research needs to enhance food and feed security.

In addition, the committee will provide a pool of top industry talent to participate in the joint government-industry Strategic Partnership Protection Agroterrorism (SPPA) initiative that uses a science- and risk-based analytical approach to assess the vulnerability of various industry sectors to further harden protection against real, versus perceived, agroterrorism risks.

The NGFA this summer is partnering with FDA, DHS, USDA and the FBI in sponsoring two such SPPA vulnerability assessments – one in June at a commercial feed manufacturer and one in late July at a country elevator.

The NGFA and NAEGA also sponsored such a vulnerability assessment at an export grain elevator in December 2005, which at the time was just the second done under the SPPA initiative.

Facility Security Website: Oversee and update, as appropriate the existing NGFA/GEAPS Facility Security Website portal that contains valuable information industry best practices, government regulatory requirements and regulatory compliance guidance.

Interaction with Other Agricultural Groups: The committee also will serve a vital role in fostering a better understanding among other plant and animal agriculture and food organizations about industry best practices being utilized by the grain, feed, processing and export sectors to enhance food and feed security.

It also will interact with organizations such as the North American Millers Association and National Oilseed Processors that also have established committees focusing on facility security and agroterrorism.

Industry leaders serving as charter members of the new committee are:

Chairman: W. Jerry Cotter, director of operations, Port of Corpus Christi Authority, Corpus Christy, Texas.

Wayne Bauer, safety and security director, Star of the West Milling, Frankenmuth, Mich.

Mark Daniels, director of health and safety, CHS Inc., Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Judy L. Fadden, global security manager, U.S. Operations, General Mills Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.

John Fletcher, general manager, Central Missouri AGRI-Service, Marshall, Mo.

Nick Friant, grain handling coordinator, Cargill Inc., Wayzata, Minn.

Arvid L. Hawk, NAEGA consultant, Minneapolis, Minn. Paul A. Luther, environmental, health and safety leader, Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC, St. Louis, Mo.

Jim Mendlik, vice president, operations, Hansen-Mueller Co., Omaha, Neb.

Tom Miller, vice president, operations, grain and agronomy, Farmers Cooperative Co., Farnhamville, Iowa

William Monroe, manager, feed operations, Southern States Cooperative Inc., Bowling Green, Ky.

Thomas F. Rider, project manager, Bunge North America Inc., St. Louis, Mo.

Rich Ryan, assistant deputy director, corporate security, ADM, Decatur, Ill.

Rick Treeman, vice president/safety and environmental manager, Johnston Enterprises, Enid, Okla.

Anthony Yount, director of safety, health and environment, ConAgra/Peavey Co., Omaha, Neb.

For further information, call 202-289-0873.