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In an effort to protect Ohioans from intentional or accidental threats to food and water supplies, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) opened its new Agro Bio-Security office last month.

The office will be responsible for security protocols that would be used in the event of an emergency or disaster. It will also represent the department at the Ohio Strategic Analysis and Information Center, an intelligence gathering system for the entire state.

"Now with one central office, we are streamlining our efforts and fine tuning our ability to quickly deal with a potential emergency," said ODA Director Fred Dailey.

Joe Donnermeyer, an Ohio State University rural sociology professor, said although there is not a high probability that an agro-terrorist event will occur in Ohio, "it is a serious concern."

"I think it should be a concern linked with other security issues with a farm," he said, citing rural crimes such as drug production and illegal dumping.

Steps farmers can take to deter crime include planning storage areas so they are within eyesight of the home, keeping the farm well lit and securing points of entry, he said. He added that for smaller farms, perimeter security is a good place to start.

Donnermeyer said it would be a mistake to only focus on foreign sources terrorism, noting that militia and ecoterrosits groups also may pose a threat.

In testimony before Congress last October, the FBI said animal rights extremism is one of its highest domestic terrorism priorities and activists are achieving "disturbing signs of success" in activity designed to cause economic loss and destruction of property.

"We have our own fringe groups that have nothing to do with Osama Bin Laden," Donnermeyer said.

Farmers who have questions on agro bio-security issues can contact ODA's Agro Bio-Security Office at 614-728-4237.