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Abstract
In some developing countries the potential exists for agroterrorism to cause
widespread disruption through loss of sustenance, income and production. Defense of
agriculture may also be problematic because of the lack stability and basic biosecurity
infrastructure for the detection and prevention of diseases or invasive species. Currently
new methodological approaches for terrorism risk assessments are being actively
explored for resource prioritization. One such methodology for risk based allocation of
resources is Threat, Vulnerability, and Consequence (TVC) Analysis. A qualitative
application of the TVC framework is used to analyze the risk of agroterrorism in
developing countries relative to industrialized countries. The analysis suggests that
evidence exists to demonstrate general terrorist threats, vulnerability of agriculture and,
depending on the country, potentially serious consequences arising from argoterrorism.
Where specific threats emerge, action may be needed by the international community to
strengthen biosecurity systems in developing countries through: increasing global
cooperation, capacity building in monitoring, remediation and risk analysis technologies,
and the dissemination of novel technologies for control of pests and diseases.