The
Agricultural Retailers Association has released the following
statement advising their members to observe security measures
to protect stocks of agricultural chemicals. Retailers,
Farmers Advised To Tighten Security of Ag-Chems In
the wake of recent, tragic events in New York and Virginia,
agricultural retailers need to be very aware of the uses
to which their "tools of the trade" can be turned. While
the FBI is specifically concerned with ammonium nitrate
and urea, other ag chemicals such as anhydrous ammonia
should also be carefully secured. After recent reports
of possible terrorists seeking ammonium nitrate in the
southern U.S. and of some terrorists acquiring commercial
driver's licenses to haul hazardous materials, ARA contacted
various departments of the FBI and was asked to forward
the following request to our members:
"Following
the Terrorist incidents on September 11, 2001, the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is requesting the assistance
of all retailers of bagged ammonium nitrate or urea to
be aware of anyone acting suspiciously and wishing to
purchase either ammonium nitrate or urea; or anyone who
has already purchased quantities and were suspicious
to you. Should you be approached by such an individual
or have already sold to such an individual, you are requested
to contact your local FBI office and provide any details
regarding the purchase or information regarding the purchaser.
You can locate the telephone number for your local FBI
Field Office inside of the front cover of your telephone
book, or call telephone information."
ARA
members are also reminded of the "Be Secure For America
Program" which is an industry/government initiative that
was unveiled this past summer and is designed to ensure
the safe, intended use of fertilizer. ARA, The Fertilizer
Institute, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms,
and the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials,
co-sponsored the program. Free brochures and posters are
available and there is a toll free number (800-800-3855)
to call to report suspicious activity. In order to
prevent the theft and possible misuse of ag chemicals,
retailers and farmers may want to review and use some or
all of the following procedures:
- Increase
your security presence and/or ask local law enforcement
to drive by at night;
Make sure all installed security features, including lights, are working
and use them;
Do not sell potentially dangerous ag chemicals to unknown customers and report
any suspicious activities or requests immediately;
Inform your customers of what's happening and ask them to secure their own
areas of control;
Report any thefts, break-ins, disappearances or inventory shortages; and,
- Take
measures to secure chemicals during shipment by your
employees.
If
you have questions, contact the Agricultural Retailers
Association at (800) 535-6272.
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