Homeland Security

1. Could terrorists introduce a health problem such as the UK Mad Cow situation into the US food chain? If not Mad Cow, are there other pathogens that would inflict the desired financial or health problems (casualties) on the US? Please support your answer with relevant examples

2. Since the US food chain is nationwide and diversified, could terrorist actions produce a long term impact rather than a short term disruption? If yes/no why? Support your answer with examples

3. Would a unified, independent food-safety agency improve our preparedness for a terrorist attack on the food chain? If yes/no why? Support your answer with examples

(b). Is there any logic to the current distributed organizational mission responsibilities for food safety? If yes/no why? Support your answer with examples

4. Several years ago, the President appointed Michael Taylor as Food Czar. This position has almost been invisible to the American public. Has the appointment of a Food Czar made any difference in food safety?

(b). If you could reset the clock back to his appointment date, what would your “to-do list” contain for the topic of food safety for the new Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine?