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Watch out for people against biotech, says FBI (14/7/2005)

This item doesn't appear to be that recent but it does illustrate the success of the strategy described by Prof Guy Cook in his book 'Genetically Modified Language by which GM proponents, from Tony Blair downwards, divide the world into the rational, progressive and well-informed (you're for GM) and the forces of ignorance and intolerance (you're concerned about GM).
http://www.lobbywatch.org/p1temp.asp?pid=68&page=1

Whether Monsanto director George Poste* chairing the Task Force on Bioterrorism at the U.S. Department of Defense, adds to the equating of terrorism with questioning the safety of the food chain, who knows.
* http://www.gene.ch/genet/2003/Feb/msg00097.html

EXCERPT: "When asked for clues that someone might be interested in engaging in terrorism, [Jerry Lyons, an FBI special agent] said a potential bioterrorist might strongly oppose the consumption of milk or the use of genetically modified crops." ------

Report Unusual Activities, FBI Agent Tells Farmers
The Enterprise Patrick County, Virginia
http://www.organicconsumers.org/corp/fbibiotech012803.cfm

If your neighbor hates genetically modified corn, and he experiments with explosives in the backyard, you probably should report him to local police, an FBI agent told farmers.

Reporting unusual activities is a key to fighting agroterrorism, said Jerry Lyons, an FBI special agent who serves in the weapons of mass destruction countermeasures unit. "You might have one piece of the puzzle that could solve the case."

Lyons and former Lt. Gov. John H. Hager, now assistant to the governor for commonwealth preparedness, addressed farmers and agriculture leaders on December 2, during the three-day annual convention of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

When asked for clues that someone might be interested in engaging in terrorism, Lyons said a potential bioterrorist might strongly oppose the consumption of milk or the use of genetically modified crops. However, it's difficult to put together a profile of a domestic or international terrorist, he noted.

In assessing potential threat, it's appropriate to look at the resolve of the person or group, Lyons said. "Do they have the means" to carry out a terrorist act? "Is it practical or worth their time?" to carry it out?

The Internet has made it easy for extreme environmental groups to post information on terrorism methodology. Hager said "The goal of terrorists is to undermine our faith, economy, government and confidence in our food supply.

We'll never know how vulnerable we are to terrorism, "Hager said. "We have to do all we can to reduce our vulnerability and do all we can to continue this way of life in America and in Virginia"

Lyons noted that an extreme environmental group said on its Web site "Fire is a tool. Arson works." However, it's a federal crime for anyone to engage in teaching methods of terrorism, the agent added.

Tip sheets produced by the Virginia Cooperative Extension suggest that farmers have only one entry/exit point per farm and consider using security lights and controlled gate access. Extension also recommends the use of electronic security devices such as motion detectors, door alarms, video cameras and alarms linked to an off-site security system.

Other tips include posting signs that tell visitors where to report; maintaining a record of visitors' names and companies, arrival and departure times, and reasons for visiting; using visitor badges or ID cards; and explaining disease control to visitors.

It also is recommended that farmers ask local law enforcement to patrol a farm's perimeter at irregular times if threats occur. Additional information is available online at www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/farm-security and www.commonwealthpreparedness.state.va.us

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