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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a guide to help producers enhance security at the farm level.

The "Pre-Harvest Security Guidelines and Checklist 2006" offers practical measures to protect against natural disasters and the introduction of plant and animal diseases. The guide is the latest in a series of materials produced by USDA to bolster food and agriculture security.

The guide details general security measures farms can take and provides specific security precautions by commodity.

USDA suggestions for enhancing farm security include the following:

• Minimize the number of places where criminals can easily hide around the farm.

• Maintain fences in good repair.

• Make sure that all storage areas for hazardous chemicals and drugs are secured.

• Arrange to have a security survey of your facility by local law enforcement or your insurance agent.

• Make sure that the areas surrounding and within farm buildings are well lit.

• Have only one entry way for visitor use.

• Make an emergency preparation and response plan that includes all emergency phone numbers and information that may be needed by first responders.

Local USDA Farm Agency Service Centers are distributing the guide. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/homelandsecurity.