Rick Barron from the Office of Homeland Security located within the Port of New Orleans discusses biosecurity and disease threats during the Plant Biosecurity Symposium held at the Su Ag Center in early November..

SU symposium studies plant disease, terrorism

Participants in the Plant Biosecurity Symposium are briefed on steps being taken by the Port of News Orleans to protect Louisiana plants and agriculture from biological threats.

Fears of 'agro-terrorism' and ways to prevent incidents like the California wildfires were among the many topics discussed in early November at the Plant Biosecurity Symposium at the Southern University Agricultural and Research Center.

Some of the greatest threats to human welfare revolve around plant diseases often as much as human diseases, nationwide experts said throughout the two-day affair which drew about 100 presenters and participants.

Daniel Collins, Southern University professor of plant pathology, said disease can spread from a variety of ways, such as terrorism or purely by accident. "Agro-terrorism is a threat and it should not be understated," Collins said. "We have to be prepared."

For more on the symposium, see article at 2theadvocate.com.